DEFENCE

Army

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the Army indicated when last questioned that they have been a victim of (a) harassment, (b) discrimination and (c) bullying in the Army; what percentage of those responding this represents; what percentage of actual strength this represents; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: In response to the latest Army Continuous Attitude Survey, those members of the Army that indicated they had been the victim of harassment, discrimination and bullying in the last 12 months are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Question Number of Army Personnel who alleged: Percentage of Respondents Percentage of those Surveyed 
		
		
			 Racial Discrimination 42 2.0 1.0 
			 Racial Harassment 36 1.8 0.9 
			 Sex Discrimination 64 3.1 1.6 
			 Sexual Harassment 33 1.6 0.8 
			 Bullying 110 5.4 2.8 
		
	
	The latest survey was undertaken in March–April 2002 and sent to a 4 per cent. random sample of the trained Army (excluding Gurkhas and Full Time Reserve Service personnel); 3,978 questionnaires were sent out and 2,037 were returned.

Army

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, (a) how many and (b) what percentage of army recruits (i) went absent without leave and (ii) left the Army within the first six (A) weeks and (B) months of training in the last year for which figures are available.

Adam Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Army

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the Army indicated when last questioned the preference that unmarried partners should be granted the same support and allowances as the spouses of officers and soldiers; what percentage of those responding this represents; what percentage of actual strength this represents; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: In response to the latest Army Continuous Attitude Survey, 842 members of the Army indicated they believed that partners should have the same support and allowances as the spouses of married officers and soldiers. This represents some 41 per cent. of those who responded and 21 per cent. of those surveyed.
	The latest survey was undertaken in March–April 2002 and sent to a 4 per cent. random sample of the trained Army (excluding Gurkhas and Full Time Reserve Service); 3,978 questionnaires were sent out and 2,037 were returned.

Army Equipment

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimates his Department has made of how much, on average, individual members of the Army spent on purchasing additional or replacement clothing and equipment to supplement standard issue kit over the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: None. Service personnel are provided with all the equipment they require to do their jobs. The clothing and equipment with which they are issued is designed to be fit for purpose in a range of circumstances.

Army Equipment

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the forces have indicated that they (a) have and (b) have not purchased additional replacement (i) clothing and (ii) equipment supplementing kit issued by the Army in the last 12 months; what percentage of actual strength this represents in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: In response to the latest Army Continuous Attitude Survey, 1,037 individuals indicated that they had purchased some item of equipment or clothing in the last 12 months. This represents some 26 per cent. of those surveyed. Seventy four per cent. of individuals indicated that they had not. The survey does not ask the individual to make the distinction between clothing or equipment, and purchases may include items which are not issued by the Army. The survey was administered to a 4 per cent. random sample of the trained Army (excluding Gurkhas and Full Time Reserve Service personnel); 3,978 questionnaires were sent out.

Operation Sandcastle

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost was of Operation Sandcastle.

Adam Ingram: We estimate that the cost of Operation Sandcastle was around #364,000 at 1991–1992 prices.

No-fly Zones

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what offensive operations were conducted by the Royal Air Force against military installations in Iraq on (a) 21 September 1999, (b) 21 September 2000, (c) 21 September 2001, (d) 20 September 2002 and (e) 22 September 2002.

Adam Ingram: RAF and other coalition aircraft conducting legitimate patrols of the No-Fly Zones over Iraq are regularly threatened by Iraqi air defences. When this occurs they may respond in self-defence, against air defence sites.
	On 21 September 1999 and 21 September 2001 RAF aircraft responded against, respectively, air defence radars and a surface-to-air missile site in southern Iraq, using laser-guided bombs.
	No responses took place on 21 September 2000, or 20, 21 or 22 September this year.

Apache Helicopter

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  for what reasons the organisations training pilots for the Apache helicopter have experienced delays in providing equipment and facilities;
	(2)  if the private organisations training pilots for the Apache helicopter will be removed from the project;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the delay in training pilots for the Apache attack helicopter;
	(4)  what measure he is taking to ensure that the timetable for training pilots for the Apache helicopter is brought forward;
	(5)  for what reasons the organisations involved have been unable to meet deadlines set for the training of pilots for the Apache attack helicopter;
	(6)  what penalties were written into the contract for late delivery of equipment and training of pilots for the Apache helicopter.

Adam Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Animal Experiments

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many animals covered by the Sixth Report of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee were bred, for the period in question, for possible use in procedures but subsequently (a) destroyed and (b) passed on to other bodies without so being used.

Lewis Moonie: The sixth report of the Independent Animal Welfare Committee covers the period from 31 October 2000 to 28 February 2002. Animal figures are compiled on the basis of the calendar year. In 2001 Dstl Porton Down bred two different types of rodents and two types of non-human primates. Of these, 21 mice and six rats were humanely destroyed without use. 916 mice, 2,624 rats and 10 rhesus macaques were issued dead to other organisations.

TREASURY

Split Capital Investment Trusts

Stephen O'Brien: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations his Department has received regarding a compensation package for investors who have lost money due to market abuses relating to split capital investment trusts.

Ruth Kelly: Treasury Ministers receive a wide range of correspondence relating to financial service matters.

Landfill Tax

Stephen O'Brien: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations his Department has received regarding the optimum level for landfill tax.

John Healey: Treasury Ministers have received a variety of representations about the rate of landfill tax.

Charities (Tax Relief)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has been contributed annually to the charitable sector (a) overall and (b) through the Gift Aid scheme, since the scheme's introduction; what these sums are as proportions of the total turnover of the charitable sector; and what the total cost is to his Department of the tax refunds resulting from the Gift Aid scheme.

John Healey: Figures on Gift Aid are published in the income tax section of Inland Revenue Statistics at: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/index.htm. Consistent and reliable estimates for total donations to charities are not available centrally, nor are figures on turnover. However, a survey by NCVO/NOP estimates that the value of individual donations was #6.8 billion in 2001. In addition charities benefit from donations from companies. The Charity Commission shows that at the end of the second quarter of 2002 the annual income of registered charities in England and Wales was #28.5 billion.

Charities (Tax Relief)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his estimate is of the amount of tax forgone as a result of tax allowances granted to charities in England and Wales in (a) the last financial year and (b) each of the previous six financial years;
	(2)  what the total amount of tax relief for charities has been since 1997; and how much was relief on (a) income tax, (b) corporation tax, (c) capital gains tax, (d) inheritance tax and (e) stamp duty.

John Healey: The available estimates, which relate to the United Kingdom, for the total cost of tax forgone are about #2 billion in each of the last six financial years. This includes income tax, inheritance tax, business rates and VAT. Figures for the first two categories were published in various issues of the FSBR and in Table 1.5 of Inland Revenue Statistics at: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/index.htm. These figures will be updated in the Tax Ready Reckoner published at the time of the Chancellor's Press Budget Report. Estimates for relief on corporation tax, capital gains tax and stamp duty are not available.

Charities (Tax Relief)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has for the Payroll Giving scheme providing tax relief for charitable donations; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: In April 2000, the Government abolished the maximum amounts that could be given under Payroll Giving. To boost the scheme, the Government announced a three-year publicity campaign to promote the scheme to more employers and their employees and a 10 per cent. supplement on all Payroll Giving donations until April 2003. The cost of the supplement is met from public expenditure. The amount given under Payroll Giving has increased from #29 million in 1998–99 to about #73 million in 2001–02.

Charities (Tax Relief)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the level of charitable donations since the abolition of the minimum limit on donations through the (a) Payroll Giving scheme and (b) Gift Aid scheme.

John Healey: In April 2000, the Government set a target to raise the amount given through Payroll Giving to #60 million by April 2003. The total given in the year 2001–02 was around #73m. In 2001–02 nearly #450m was repaid to charities under Gift Aid. The Government looks forward to the continuing success of both schemes.

Charities (Tax Relief)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to prevent suspended shares being given as part of the Gift Aid scheme.

John Healey: The Gift Aid scheme only covers gifts of money. The relief for giving listed shares, introduced in April 2000, allows individuals and companies to deduct the market value of gifts of listed shares from their income or corporation tax calculation. Where shares are being actively traded, the value will normally be easily ascertained by reference to published prices. However, where trading is suspended, the value will be the price which might have been paid in a transaction at arm's length. Any relief would therefore reflect the suspension of trading in the shares. The shares would still, of course, be of value to the charity, when trading resumed.

Charities (Tax Relief)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the Gift Aid scheme tax relief for charitable donations; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: In April 2000, the Government abolished the minimum donation of #250, so that every donation, no matter how large or small, can come within the Gift Aid scheme, providing the donor meets the scheme's conditions. From April 2003, donors will be able to carry back Gift Aid donations made before they make their self assessment tax returns into the previous tax year, thereby obtaining any higher rate relief earlier. From April 2004 taxpayers will be able to nominate a charity to receive part or all of a tax repayment that is due to them.
	The Government continue to support The Giving Campaign, a charity sector-led body, which has done a great deal to raise awareness of the Gift Aid scheme among both charities and donors.

Pool Re'

Howard Flight: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to introduce the necessary legislation regarding Pool Re' insurance cover to include the Government's new wider definition of terrorism.

Ruth Kelly: We currently have no plans to amend the definition of acts of terrorism in the Reinsurance (Acts of Terrorism) Act 1993. We are not persuaded that there is an issue of sufficient substance to justify primary legislation.

Pool Re'

Howard Flight: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the Government's discussions with the commercial insurance sector regarding commercial cover being available in respect of the substantial area not covered by Pool Re' where presently commercial exclusion is absolute; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The availability of terrorism cover in the commercial market is a matter that we have and will continue to discuss with the insurance industry. We are not persuaded that there is an issue of sufficient substance to justify primary legislation to amend the definition of acts of terrorism in the Reinsurance (Acts of Terrorism) Act 1993.

Death Benefits

James Purnell: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will estimate what the annual cost would be of in-service death benefits extended to unmarried partners, in accordance with the rules for the new Civil Service Pension, for the financial year 2003–04, and each of the five subsequent years at 2003–04, prices for (a) the whole of the public sector, (b) the Teachers' Pension Scheme, (c) the NHS Pension Scheme, (d) the Local Government Pension Scheme, (e) the Firemen's Pension Scheme, (f) the Police Pension Scheme and (g) the Armed Forces Pension Scheme;
	(2)  if he will estimate what the costs would be for the future service of current members if in-service death benefits were extended to unmarried partners, in accordance with the rules for the new Civil Service Pension, at 2003–04 prices for (a) the whole of the public sector, (b) the Teachers' Pension Scheme, (c) the NHS Pension Scheme, (d) the Local Government Scheme, (e) the Firemen's Pension Scheme, (f) the Police Pension Scheme and (g) the Armed Forces Pension Scheme.

Ruth Kelly: There is no cost to the Exchequer from the introduction on 1 October 2002 of new pension arrangements for the Civil Service. Members participating in those arrangements will meet the full costs of all the benefit improvements, including the introduction of survivor pensions for unmarried partners, through higher employee contributions.
	Our policy is that public service pension schemes may introduce unmarried partner pensions only if members want the change and are prepared to pay for it through higher member contributions or a rebalancing of other benefits which is cost neutral overall to employers and the taxpayer. Death lump sum benefits may be provided, however, to unmarried partners in schemes where members are able to nominate the recipient.

European Union

Stephen O'Brien: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, what Britain's net contribution to the European Union was (a) in the last year and (b) excluding the budget rebate.

Ruth Kelly: Details of the United Kingdom's net contribution in 2001–02, and the abatement included within it, can be found at Table 3.1 (page 12) of the 2001 European Community Finances White Paper (Cm 5547). Equivalent figures for calendar year 2001 can be found at Table 3 (page 40) of the same publication.

Drug-related Deaths

Lynne Jones: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer to parliamentary question 76983, if he will provide separate figures for deaths caused by (a) crack cocaine and (c) cocaine in each of the last five years.

Ruth Kelly: The answer requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Lynne Jones, dated 6 November 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question asking for separate figures for deaths caused by (a) crack cocaine and (b) cocaine in each of the last five years.
	It is not possible to provide separate figures on deaths related to crack cocaine and cocaine from routine mortality data, as these substances are not generally separately identified on death certificates.
	The Office for National Statistics routinely publishes a combined figure for deaths mentioning cocaine on the death certificate. It is not possible, in cases where more than one substance is mentioned on the death certificate, to state which was primarily responsible for the death.

Money Laundering

Stephen O'Brien: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent research his Department has commissioned into money laundering in the UK; and if he will publish the results of this research.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury is preparing a strategy document to explain the objectives and key criteria of the UK's anti-money laundering regime, and assess the extent to which current measures meet our overarching objectives. This will be finalised after discussions in the Money Laundering Advisory Committee and will then be published on the Treasury website.

Public Service Agreement

Howard Flight: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedures his Department has in place to monitor other Government Departments' performance in relation to their agreed public service agreement.

Paul Boateng: Departments provide regular information about their performance to the Treasury. Departments will shortly publish progress in their Autumn Performance Reports, and the Government will introduce regular web-based reporting of progress against all the PSA targets announced in the 2002 Spending Review.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what strategies his Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury is committed to age diversity and has implemented the recommendations of the Government's ''Winning the Generation Game'' report.
	Equality of opportunity for all staff is a key feature of all civil service employment. As part of this, ageism is not tolerated.
	Recruitment, development, performance management and retention policies are continuously reviewed. There are no age barriers to employment and retirement age is determined on business needs only. The Treasury has no upper age limit for any of its recruitment schemes, other than the retirement age, which is currently 60. The recruitment literature states,
	Xwe recruit and promote strictly on ability and performance. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals. We do not discriminate on grounds of gender, marital status, race, colour, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, community background or age subject to our policy that all staff retire at 60."

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of new recruits to his Department in the past two years were aged 50 and over.

Ruth Kelly: The information for HM Treasury is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Year Percentage of New Recruits Aged 50 and Over 
		
		
			 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 2.2 
			 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 1.6

Asbestor-based Liability Claims

Howard Flight: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions he has made regarding the costs of asbestos-based liability claims against Her Majesty's Government over the next 20 years.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury makes no assumption about the costs of asbestos liability claims. It is for individual Departments to make provision in their accounts for any liabilities against them. Details of a Department's provisions and possible contingent liabilities can be found in the notes to their Resource Accounts in the line with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UKGAAP)

British Energy

Howard Flight: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what recent meetings his Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry regarding a merger of British Energy with BNFL; and if he will place the minutes in the Library;
	(2)  what recent meetings his Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry regarding British Energy; and if he will place the minutes in the Library;
	(3)  what recent meetings his Department has had with (a) the Finance Director and (b) the former Chief Executive of British Energy; and if he will place the minutes in the Library.

John Healey: I refer to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 11 February 2002, Official Report, c.114–15. In line with previous Administrations, it is not this Government's practice to provide details of the meetings they routinely have with a wide range of organisations.

British Energy

Howard Flight: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has received from British Energy requesting exclusion from the Climate Change Levy; and if he will place in the Library the minutes of meetings with British Energy on this subject.

John Healey: Treasury Ministers have received numerous representations on the climate change levy. As the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his answer of 11 February 2002, Official Report, c. 114–15, in line with previous Administrations, it is not this Government's practice to provide details of the meetings they routinely have with a wide range of organisations.
	With regard to nuclear power, the Government made it clear when the detail of the levy was announced in the November 1999 PBR that electricity from nuclear power would be subject to the levy. The Government have restated since then that there are no plans to exempt nuclear energy from the levy, which is designed to encourage energy efficiency across the business and public sectors and to increase the use of sustainable forms of energy.

Thalidomide Trust

Pete Wishart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much money the Government have paid into the Thalidomide Trust since 1973; how much tax the Government have collected from payments from the Thalidomide Trust to thalidomide victims; what tax rate is applied to payments to thalidomide victims from the Thalidomide Trust; and if he will estimate the uptake of tax reclaim under the previous fiscal system by thalidomide victims who pay tax on money from the Thalidomide Trust.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The Government paid #5m into the Thalidomide trust in 1974, #800,000 in 1978, and #7m in 1996. Taxpayer confidentiality prevents the disclosure of specific details on how much tax the Government has collected from payments from the Thalidomide trust to thalidomide victims. As with other discretionary trusts, the trustees account for tax at 34 per cent. on the income they pay out. The beneficiaries are then subject to tax on this income in the normal way, and they may claim credit for the tax paid by the trustees. This tax treatment has not changed so it is not possible to estimate the uptake of tax reclaim under a previous fiscal system. Information on the numbers of thalidomide victims claiming tax repayment is not available.

Thalidomide Trust

Pete Wishart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent meetings have been held between the Treasury and Thalidomide Action Group UK on the tax status of beneficiary payments from the Thalidomide Trust.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The Chancellor has not held any meetings recently with the Thalidomide Action Group UK on the tax status of beneficiary payments from the Thalidomide Trust.

Thalidomide Trust

Pete Wishart: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much direct compensation the Government have paid to thalidomide victims since 1972.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government have provided thalidomide victims with support from health and social services. In addition thalidomide victims benefit from payments from the Thalidomide Trust.

Departmental Recruitment

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent in recruiting staff to his Department in (a) London and (b) the south east in each year since 1997.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The costs of recruiting staff fall largely to individual teams, and are charged to team budgets. Therefore information on the total cost of recruiting staff is not available centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Enterprise Zones

Albert Owen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Chancellor has to introduce Enterprise Zones in deprived areas of England and Wales.

John Healey: holding answer 5 November 2002
	The Government have designated 2000 Enterprise Areas across the UK, comprising the most deprived wards in the country. In England these are the most deprived 15 per cent. of wards, and in Wales the most deprived 42 per cent. The Enterprise Areas already qualify for stamp duty relief on all transactions up to #150,000, and the Government will remove stamp duty for all non-residential transactions subject to State Aids approval. Businesses in Enterprise Areas are also eligible for other forms of assistance such as the Community Investment Tax Credit and the Phoenix Fund, and at the Pre-Budget Report the Government will publish details of further plans to boost awareness and take-up of these measures.

Working Families Tax Credit (Scotland)

John Thurso: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of how many families in Scotland are eligible to receive the working families tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: No such estimate is available.

Mapeley Steps Ltd.

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answers of his answers of 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 213W, on estate sales, when Parliament was informed of the sales to Mapeley Steps Ltd; and whether the Watch House (Customs House), Cowes, has been sold.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise issued a joint press release ''Strategic Transfer of the Estate to the Private Sector (Steps)'' (jw 4/01) on 9 March 2001, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. This press release mistakenly stated that the transfer was made to Mapeley Ltd. The transfers were in fact made to Mapeley Steps Ltd and this has been corrected in subsequent press statements.
	The Watch Tower, Cowes was sold to Mapeley Steps Ltd as part of the Steps arrangements.

Cash Plan Providers

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1) , what revenue he estimates would be generated by the taxation of the trading surpluses of non-profit distribution health cash plan providers;
	(2)  what recent representations he has received concerning proposed changes in the tax treatment of trading surpluses generated by non-profit health cash plan providers; what assessment he has made of the implications of the proposed changes for the level of voluntary donations made by this sector to the National Health Service and other health charities; and how many (a) non-profit health cash providers and (b) plan holders he anticipates will be affected;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the impact of the taxation of the trading surpluses of non-profit distributing health cash plan providers on the level of donations made by such bodies to the NHS and medical charities.

Ruth Kelly: Ministers have received a number of letters about the tax treatment of health cash plan providers. Providers who are not trading on a mutual basis are able to make rule changes necessary to comply with the requirements that exempt them from tax. There is no retrospective tax charge. No information is available on the impact of these changes, or the revenue generated as these depend largely on decisions taken by individual providers.

Savings Gateway

David Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the four Savings Gateway pilots.

Ruth Kelly: Pilots for the Savings Gateway were launched in August 2002. The Government will provide a statement on the progress of the pilots in the Pre-budget report.

Savings Gateway

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff there were in the Treasury's departments in each of the last five years.

Ruth Kelly: The information on total employment (full-time equivalent) in the HM Treasury as at 1 April in each of the last five years is shown in the table:
	
		Table Showing Total Staff as at 1 April for Years 1997–2002
		
			 Date Total Staff 
			  Full-time equivalent 
		
		
			 1 April 2002 1060 
			 1 April 2001 875 
			 1 April 2000 870 
			 1 April 1999 926 
			 1 April 1998 893 
			 1 April 1997 888

Savings Gateway

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the success of the pilots for the Savings Gateway.

Ruth Kelly: Pilots for the Savings Gateway were launched in August 2002 and will last for two and a half years including evaluation. The Government will provide a statement on the progress of the pilots in the Pre-budget Report.

Ministers (Tax)

David Davis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will list the taxable benefits from accommodation for Cabinet Ministers;
	(2)  if he will list benefits in kind to Ministers that are (a) tax exempt and (b) not tax exempt;
	(3)  what the maximum tax liability is for each benefit in kind to Ministers;
	(4)  if the Government will initiate a review of benefits in kind to Ministers and their taxable status.

Ruth Kelly: Government Ministers occupying official residences provided by reason of their office meet the statutory conditions for exemption from the tax charge on living accommodation. Where exemption applies and associated services, such as heating, lighting, cleaning, decoration, are supplied as well there is a tax charge of 10 per cent. of the individual's net emoluments from the employment or office. These are the rules applying to all taxpayers.
	Ministers of the Crown, along with the Speaker and Opposition office-holders, are exempt, under Section 200AA of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act, from tax on transport or subsistence benefits provided for them or their families; otherwise the benefits tax rules are the same for Ministers as for other taxpayers. There is no statutory maximum on the amount of benefits that can be provided for and taxed on an employee or office-holder.
	The Government have no plans to review the tax treatment of benefits in kind provided to Ministers.

Penrose Inquiry

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many requests by Lord Penrose's inquiry for the production of documents he has declined; and on what grounds they were denied;
	(2)  what steps have been taken to ensure that information in the possession of the Treasury of relevance to Lord Penrose's inquiry but not specifically requested by him is made available to him; what steps have been taken to identify such information; and how much such information has been supplied to the inquiry;
	(3)  what guidance he has given to his officials regarding their co-operation with the inquiry by Lord Penrose into Equitable Life;
	(4)  if he will list the requests for information from Lord Penrose's inquiry with which he has yet to comply; and when the request was made in each case;
	(5)  what request for papers and other sources of evidence and information the inquiry by Lord Penrose has made to Her Majesty's Treasury; on what date each request was received; and when each was complied with;
	(6)  what procedures are in place in his Department for responding to (a) correspondence and (b) requests for information from the Penrose Inquiry; and if he will publish these procedures;
	(7)  if he will list the documents and other evidence provided by Her Majesty's Treasury to the inquiry into Equitable Life by Lord Penrose.

Ruth Kelly: It was made clear at the outset of the Inquiry that the Treasury would co-operate fully with Lord Penrose. We have done so and all relevant officials are aware of this requirement.
	The Treasury has sought to provide all relevant information to the Inquiry, including information not specifically requested.
	The Inquiry has made a wide range of requests for documents and information and Treasury officials have co-operated fully in identifying and supplying the requested documents where they have been in the possession of the Treasury. No record of individual requests has been maintained, nor have specific procedures been put in place for dealing with such requests. No requests for the production of documents have been declined and we are not aware of any outstanding requests for information with which we have not yet complied.

Savings (Low Incomes)

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what role he plans for the Friendly Society Movement in increasing savings for those on low incomes.

Ruth Kelly: Friendly societies have an important role, in competition with other service providers, in providing access to savings products. The Government are committed to encouraging a stronger saving habit in people from low-income groups. That is why we are introducing the Saving Gateway and the Child Trust Fund. Both measures will help develop a stronger saving habit, which should benefit friendly societies. The friendly society movement has played an important role in the establishment of the Child Trust Fund by providing advice and expertise.

Financial Education

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the strategy for a national financial advice network; and if this will include the contribution made by (a) credit unions and (b) friendly societies in providing advice to the financially excluded.

Ruth Kelly: It is important that everyone should have access to appropriate financial education, information and generic advice to understand his or her options, as well as having access to regulated product specific advice where appropriate.
	There have been proposals for a new network to provide financial education, information and generic advice, and we have noted those proposals with interest. Many organisations are already involved in the provision of those forms of help.
	All financial services firms can already support the provision of help for the financially excluded.
	The Credit Unions Act 1979 sets out the objects of a credit union, which include the training and education of members in the wise use of money and in the management of their financial affairs. The Government support credit unions welcome contribution to tackling financial exclusion.

Financial Products

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the contribution tax free financial products make to the quality of life for the less affluent; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The Government recognise the importance of savings in providing people with security if things go wrong, independence throughout their lives and comfort in old age. The Government's strategy is to create the right environment for saving, create the right incentives for people to save and ensure that individuals have the information and financial literacy they need to make the right saving choices.
	The Government have already introduced successful products such as Individual Savings Accounts (designed to encourage saving among individuals, particularly those with little or no savings) and Stakeholder pensions (which have extended the benefits of pension saving to previously excluded groups). In addition, pilots for the Saving Gateway were launched in August 2002 and further proposals are being developed for the Child Trust Fund. Statements on the progress of the Government's saving policies will be provided in the Pre Budget Report.

Financial Products

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likelihood of less affluent consumers buying financial products without face to face advice.

Ruth Kelly: Many financial products (for example insurance, and cash savings) are widely bought without face-to-face advice.
	Generally, more sophisticated consumers are more likely to buy investments without face-to-face advice.
	But, while sales of retail investments without face-to-face advice have grown, the bulk of sales generally continue to be through advisers who will have met their client. However, as the Sandler Review of ''Medium and Long Term Retail Savings in the UK'' found, distributors have strong incentives to focus on higher income consumers. The Sandler Review therefore recommended building on existing product standards through the introduction of ''stakeholder'' products that could significantly help less affluent consumers by providing them with simple, good value, and risk-controlled products that could be sold face to face but without the time and cost associated with regulated advice.

Sandler Review

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress has been made with the Sandler Review.

Ruth Kelly: Ron Sandler's report was wide-ranging and contained recommendations for Government and the regulator, as well as for the retail savings industry. The Treasury is planning to consult on the Sandler recommendation for a suite of regulated products early in the new year. The consideration of Sandler's tax recommendations are being taken forward as part of the normal budget process. The FSA is considering the recommendations that touch on its responsibilities.

Neighbourhood Renewal

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many of the recommendations of PAT14 have been achieved.

Ruth Kelly: Details of progress against specific recommendations of PAT14 were set out in the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal: Policy Action Team Audit report, published in January 2001. Although most proposed actions that were listed have been completed, the report recognised that the work to eliminate financial exclusion is on-going. While we have made important progress across the areas identified by PAT14—credit unions, banking and insurance services, financial education and ethnic minority issues—we need to continue to work with the financial services industry, voluntary and community groups to end financial exclusion.

Credit Unions

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his Department has done to support (a) credit unions and (b) friendly societies since 1997.

Ruth Kelly: The Government welcome the contribution of the mutual sector, including credit unions and friendly societies, to increasing choice and widening access in financial services.
	Following the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the Financial Services Authority has assumed responsibility for the regulation of credit unions and friendly societies. The Act also introduced an independent ombudsman scheme and single financial services compensation scheme. These measures should increase confidence in those considering membership of either credit unions or friendly societies.
	We are in the process of delivering a programme of deregulatory measures with the aim of increasing the operational flexibility of credit unions. For example, four measures were introduced in July this year, including enhancement to credit unions' ability to borrow from external sources and more flexibility in the way credit unions can pay dividends to members.
	Measures such as the introduction of the Saving Gateway and the Child Trust Fund are intended to encourage saving by low-income groups, which should benefit credit unions and friendly societies.

Inflation

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 15 July 2002, Official Report, column 65W, on inflation, if he will estimate the cost of measuring such differences; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter to Mr. Matthew Taylor from Len Cook, dated 6 November 2002:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning an estimate of the cost of measuring inflation rates between regions.
	The development of regional inflation measures would require a major expansion of existing data collections and a substantial development programme to resolve a number of conceptual and technical issues. This would involve significant additional expenditure involving many millions of pounds.
	There are several reasons why the current available data is not suitable for the compilation of reliable regional indices. The selection of locations is not designed to be representative of individual regions; the locations would have to be resampled, increased in number, and substantially more prices collected. In addition, many of the centrally compiled indices (e.g. housing, cars, PCs) are designed as national indices; the possibility of developing these to produce regional indices would need to be investigated.
	The data used for the weights (such as the Expenditure and Food Survey) would also have to be significantly enhanced to ensure that detailed regional expenditure categories (by type of good or service, and by type of outlet) were being weighted appropriately and represented in the sample of prices being collected. Finally, there will be a significant cost arising from the development of computer systems to produce regional indices.
	The conceptual issues to be resolved include whether the items to be priced should be representative of national or regional baskets (different users will have different needs), and also the treatment of regional boundaries. Households do not necessarily restrict their shopping to the region where they live; they may physically cross regional borders for shopping or do so via Internet or mail order shopping.

FSA

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to encourage easier access to professional indemnity insurance for the Financial Services Authority in response to the recent recommendations from the FSA.

Ruth Kelly: Regulatory requirements relating to professional indemnity insurance are a matter for the Financial Services Authority, which is the single statutory regulator for the UK financial services industry.
	In a press statement on 29 October 2002, the FSA announced technical changes to its rulebook regarding professional indemnity insurance.

FSA

Graham Brady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the number of higher rate tax payers resident in each parliamentary constituency in the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: A reliable estimate could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Chartered Jets

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much was spent by the Government in each year since 1997–98 on chartering business jets as a result of the RAF's jets in 32 (The Royal) Squadron being unavailable or unsuitable.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	Since 1999, the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing #500 or more during each financial year. The list makes clear where private charter or RAF aircraft have been used. The Government have also published on an annual basis the overall cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. The costs include all Ministers' visits overseas undertaken by private charter or RAF aircraft. Copies of the lists and costs for the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 2002 are available in the Libraries of the House.
	All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
	Information in respect of travel by Ministers within the UK is not held centrally. However, the use of private charter jets within the UK would be expected to be exceptional.

Chartered Jets

Andrew Love: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what evaluation he has made on extending the discretion to local authorities to charge the full rate of Council Tax on empty properties; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: I have been asked to reply.
	An analysis of the responses to the consultation exercise is already available in the Library of the House and on the website of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. I hope to be able to announce our decisions on the way forward shortly.

Chartered Jets

Stephen O'Brien: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of measures to allow sports clubs to claim council tax relief through becoming registered charities; and if he plans to amend these regulations.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	Sports clubs will normally be liable for national non-domestic rates.
	The Charity Commission announced new rules allowing sports clubs to qualify for charity status in November 2001 and now recognise as charitable purposes certain sports related activities. Mandatory rate relief at 80 per cent. of the rates bill is available for all premises used wholly or mainly for charitable purposes. However, no assessment of the number of sports clubs that qualify for mandatory rate relief is available.
	Non-profit making sports clubs that are not registered charities can receive discretionary relief from their local authorities. Sports clubs will also benefit from our proposals for small business relief included in the draft Local Government Bill.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefits Agency

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on his plans for the jobcentres and benefits offices in the Forest of Dean; and what steps he will take to ensure that there will be sufficient resources to guarantee the effectiveness of jobcentre plus and the Pension Service in the Forest of Dean;
	(2)  what plans he has to close existing offices of the Benefits Agency and jobcentres in the Forest of Dean.

Nick Brown: We are currently taking forward one of the largest organisational changes in the history of the civil service. We are integrating the whole of the old Employment Service and the Benefit Agency's services for people of working age to form Jobcentre Plus whilst simultaneously launching the new Pension Service.
	A key aim of the programme is to improve access to services providing active work-focused help to people of working age through Jobcentre Plus and an expert pensions advice service through The Pension Service. We are currently reviewing the facilities available to us to provide these services across the country. We are looking to make the most efficient use of these facilities whilst maintaining a high standard of service to all our customers. Both agencies are extending access to their services with, for example, the innovative use of new technology, the use of contact centres staffed by expert advisers, the extension of face-to-face services into communities and the sharing of facilities with our local partners such as local authorities.
	In spring 2003 Bath Pension Centre is scheduled to take over benefit processing and the telephone advice service for the Gloucestershire area. Pensioners will still be able to meet an adviser face to face at local advice surgeries or by arranging a home visit. This will be backed up by local services delivered in partnership with local authorities and voluntary sector organisations. Pensioners will receive letters explaining the changes fully and giving them all necessary contact details.
	The Coleford Jobcentre will be moving to new premises in the near future, as the current premises do not meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Jobcentre Plus are also considering moving delivery of Social Security services from Cinderford to this new Coleford office. We will be reviewing the delivery of Jobcentre Plus services as part of the roll out the new integrated offices throughout Gloucestershire by 2005–06. No decisions have yet been made on their location.
	All of these changes will be managed so as to ensure that high quality public services can be maintained throughout the transition to the new arrangements.

Automated Credit Transfer

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what provisions he plans to introduce for disability claimants to claim their benefits via ACT.

Malcolm Wicks: From April 2003, the normal method of payment for benefits and pensions will be direct into bank and building society accounts (including the Post Office card account).
	All customers, including those in receipt of disability benefits, will be supplied with information which clearly sets out their account options. They can choose the bank or building society account (including the Post Office card account) which best meets their needs and circumstances.

Automated Credit Transfer

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what date each disability benefit switches to payments via ACT.

Malcolm Wicks: From April 2003 the normal method of payment for benefits and pensions will be direct into bank and building society accounts (including the Post Office card account).
	The Department will invite existing customers to convert to payment into an account on a benefit by benefit basis. The precise dates for inviting disability benefit customers are yet to be finalised. However current proposals are that customers in receipt of Invalid Care Allowance will start to be contacted in June 2003 and customers in receipt of Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance will start in August 2003. Customers do not need to take any action until they receive a letter from the Department about the change.

Incapacity Benefit

David Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many married women since June 1997 have had claims for incapacity benefit disallowed on the grounds that they did not, in respect of one of the last three years before making a claim, pay before the relevant time contributions of a relevant class from which the earnings factor is not less than 25 times the lower earnings limit for that year.

Nick Brown: holding answer 30 October 2002
	The information is not available.
	Information is not collected about the marital status of those making claims to Incapacity Benefit, as it is not relevant to their claim; therefore claims made by married women cannot be disaggregated from those made by unmarried women.

Employment Initiatives

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the employment initiatives that are in place, who is eligible for each initiative, what help is offered in each case, and which schemes will be affected by the Minister for Social Exclusion's statement of 16th October.

Nick Brown: Details of our employment programmes are set out in Appendix 3 of the Departmental Report 2002 (Cm 5424), a copy of which is available in the Library.
	Our policies have created a strong economy geared to delivering stability, low inflation and sound public finances. Alongside this, our labour market policies promote attachment to the job market. As a result of our policies we have around the lowest number of unemployed people in a quarter century, and more people in work than ever before, with an increase in overall employment of almost 200,000 in the last year.
	We are actively considering what more can be done to streamline our welfare to work programmes, achieve even greater coherence between the New Deals, and transfer lessons learnt into mainstream provision. But as my hon. Friend the Minister for Social Exclusion has made clear we have no plans to stop running Action Teams for Jobs, Employment Zones or the ethnic minority outreach service.

Schemes and Initiatives

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the schemes and initiatives sponsored by his Department and its agencies which are not the subject of national roll out, showing (a) the authorities or areas covered by the scheme and (b) the budget of the scheme in the last year for which information is available.

Nick Brown: The table provides information on the Department's current initiatives (at 21 October 2002) which are not part of a national roll out.
	
		
			 Initiative Budget 2002–03 Areas covered 
			  (#m)  
		
		
			 Action Teams for Jobs 52.8 Selected wards in: 
			   Barnsley and Rotherham, Birmingham North, Birmingham South, Blackburn with Darwen, Blaenau Gwent, Brent, Brighton and Hove, Caerphilly, Chester-le-Street, Cornwall, Doncaster, Dundee, Easington, East Ayrshire, Glasgow Central and East, Glasgow North, Glasgow South, Glasgow West, Greenwich, Hackney, Halton, Haringey, Hartlepool, Highlands and Islands, Islington, Kingston upon Hull, Knowsley, Lambeth, Lewisham, Liverpool Central, Liverpool North, Liverpool South, Manchester Central, Manchester North, Manchester South, Merthyr Tydfil, Middlesbrough, Neath and Port Talbot, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newham, North Lanarkshire, North West Wales, Nottingham, Pembrokeshire, Plymouth, Redcar and Cleveland, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Salford, Sefton, Sheffield, South Tyneside, Southwark, St. Helens, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland, Thanet, Tower Hamlets, Wales Objective One, Waltham Forest, Wansbeck, West Dumbartonshire, Wirral, Wolverhampton 
			 Ambition Construction(1)  Coventry, Knowsley, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Nottingham, Paddington 
			 Ambition IT 7.6 Manchester 
			 Ambition Retail(1)  Bristol, Cardiff, Gateshead, Glasgow, Redditch 
			 Attendance Allowance—trial of new claims procedures 0.25 Bristol and South West 
			 Basic Skills pilots(1)  Jobcentre Plus Districts:  
			   Greater Nottingham, Wearside 
			 Employment Zones 78.77 Birmingham, Brent, Brighton and Hove, Doncaster, Glasgow, Haringey, Heads of the Valley and Caerphilly, Liverpool Sefton, Middlesbrough, Newham, North West Wales, Nottingham, Plymouth, Southwark, Tower Hamlets. 
			 Innovation Fund projects 5.7 Former Employment Service Units of Delivery: 
			   Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bradford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hackney, Huddersfield, Keighley, Lewisham, Liverpool, Newham, Northumberland, Southend-on-Sea, Suffolk 
			 Mentoring pilots 2.0 Former Employment Service Units of Delivery: 
			   Barnsley and Rotherham, Black Country, Borders, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff and the Vale, Greater Nottingham, Hereford and Worcester, Knowsley, Lanarkshire, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, North West Wales, Teesside, Thames Gateway 
			 Minority Ethnic outreach projects 6.5 Selected areas in Jobcentre Plus Districts: 
			   Birmingham and Solihull, Bolton and Bury, Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees, City and East London, Coventry and Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Lewisham, London Central North East, London Central South, London North, London South East, Manchester North and South, Oldham and Rochdale, Sandwell and Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall 
			 Step UP pilots 12.0 Selected wards in: 
			   Burnley, Cardiff, East Ayrshire, Great Yarmouth, Greenwich, Knowsley, Lambeth, Leeds, Manchester, Oldham, Rotherham, Sandwell, Sheffield, Sunderland [Further pilots will start in Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Dundee, Hackney, Wrexham in November 2002] 
			 Tailored pathway pilots 2.0 Former Employment Service Units of Delivery: 
			   Bath and North East Somerset, Brighton, Coventry, Dorset, Dumfries and Galloway, Ealing and Hillingdon, Glasgow, Greater Nottinghamshire, Knowsley, Mid Wales Powys and Ceredigion, Newport Torfaen and Monmouth, North East Wales, Southampton, Torbay and South Devon, Wakefield, Waveney, Wearside 
		
	
	Note:
	(1) These initiatives are being funded through the New Deal and Innovation Fund, therefore separate budget figures are not available.

Health and Safety

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what help he gives businesses in the Scottish Borders to improve health and safety in the workplace.

Nick Brown: The Department of Work and Pensions is the sponsor department for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the government body set up to help protect people at work.
	Health and safety law is enforced in the Scottish Borders, as it is throughout Great Britain, either by HSE inspectors or inspectors from the relevant local authority, depending on the nature of the work activity. Businesses receive advice during inspection visits or they can contact their local enforcing authority. In addition, HSE works in partnership with other organisations such as Scottish Enterprise and trade associations to provide advice to businesses in Scottish Borders.
	HSE provides information and advice on improving health and safety in businesses in a variety of other ways. HSE Infoline, a telephone public inquiry service, answers general inquiries, gives information about free and priced publications and directs callers to other sources of advice in HSE. Over 600 free publications are available from HSE's website (www.hse.gov.uk).
	HSE is also assisting Scottish Executive and other stakeholders in Scotland in setting up an occupational health and safety support service for small and medium sized enterprises and their employees across Scotland. The service will provide telephone advice and guidance with the possibility of a workplace visit carried out by an occupational health nurse or equivalent health and safety specialist.

Health and Safety

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to reform employer liability law.

Nick Brown: The Department is currently engaging with other interested Government Departments, the Health and Safety Executive and non-governmental organisations including the Confederation of British Industry, the Trades Union Congress and the Association of British Insurers to discuss their assessment of the long-term issues affecting employers' liability compulsory insurance.

Income Support

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of pensioners received part of their income from means-tested social assistance, benefits and income support in each of the last five years; and what his estimate is for this figure for the next five years.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested. However around one third of pensioner benefit units have been in receipt of income-related benefits over the past five years. This proportion is expected to remain broadly constant over the next five years.
	Notes:
	1. We have defined pensioners by the Income Support definition i.e. where either partner is aged 60 or over.
	2. Income related benefits have been defined as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support/Minimum Income Guarantee/Pension Credit. Each benefit unit is only counted once, for example a benefit unit in receipt of both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit won't be counted in each group.
	3. All estimates provided are consistent with those supplied for the 2002 Spending Review, and include the estimated effects of Pension Credit and New Tax Credits where appropriate.
	4. Estimates provided include people in residential care and nursing homes as well as private households.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what strategies his Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Ian McCartney: Equality of opportunity for all staff is a key feature of all Civil Service employment. As part of this, ageism is not tolerated. Our Diversity and Equality policy statement specifies age as an area where we ''will provide equality of opportunity''. This equality of treatment extends also to the new external recruitment system where potential recruits will be selected on the basis of competencies.
	The Department includes age as part of its equality proofing of policies and procedures. Our current HR Change Programme is continuously reviewing its recruitment, development, performance management and retention policies. Alongside this work we are implementing the outcomes of the Performance and Innovation Unit's ''Winning the Generation Game'' report.
	All applicants and employees are treated fairly to enable them to develop and fulfil their potential, valuing the contribution each person can make to the organisation. Vacancies are open up to everyone up to the age of 65 and a person's age is not taken into account at any stage of the selection process.
	In addition to its usual recruitment procedures the Department also recruits employees through the New Deal programme, both for Young People and 25 and 50 plus.
	All staff in the Department, below the Senior Civil Service, are able to choose to remain beyond 60, up to the age of 65. Staff over 60 are subject to the same terms and conditions as staff under 60 with no special reviews of performance applied. The Department's flexible approach to age retirement allows staff to continue to work in their current grade and, subject to business need, to seek promotion to a higher grade or voluntarily to downgrade. Subject to business need staff may also choose to work full or part time.

Departmental Websites

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will list the web site links associated with his Department, including sites now dormant or closed, and indicating whether they are live, dormant or closed; what the start up costs were for each site listed; what the operating costs were in each year since start up for each site; which company hosted each site; what assessment takes place for each site; which company does the assessment; if he will place the assessment reports in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The information on the start up and operating costs for Department's websites is only available in part. In-house staff maintain the department's websites and operation cost could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Web hosting and provision of web services is provided by the department's IT contractor. However, Internet services are not accounted for separately.
	The departmental site www.dwp.gov.uk formerly the DSS site www.dss.gov.uk, was launched in August 2000 at a production cost of #183,650 for the research, design and building of the site. In December 2001 the site was redeveloped for DWP and broadened to include information for the new department at a cost of #48,193.
	Qualitative and quantitative research of sites has taken place along with weekly monitoring of statistics. The companies used have been appointed through the Central Office of Information. The qualitative and quantitative research reports have been placed in the Library.
	The information in the table details website associated with DWP and includes live, dormant and closed websites, all DWP sites are hosted on servers provided by Electronic Data Systems with the exception of New Deal which is on a Youthnet server managed by a third party. Costs have been included where available:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 www.agepositive.gov.uk Live #104,172 
			 www.benefitsagency.gov.uk Closed 
			 www.bfi.gov.uk Live 
			 www.csa.gov.uk Live 
			 www.dwp.gov.uk/actionteams Live 
			 www.dwp.gov.uk/employmentzones Live #10,500 
			 www.employmentservice.gov.uk Dormant 
			 www.dss.gov.uk Dormant 
			 www.dwp.gov.uk Live #231,843 
			 www.disability.gov.uk Live #74,500. 
			 www.gogetpensions.gov.uk Closed 
			 www.info4pensioners.gov.uk Live #12,531 
			 www.itsa.gov.uk Closed 
			 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk Live #802,275 
			 www.newdeal.gov.uk Live 
			 www.one.gov.uk Live 
			 www.pensionguide.gov.uk Live #89,670 
			 www.esf.gov.uk Live 
			 www.targetingfraud.gov.uk Live #2,666 
			 www.thepensionservice.gov.uk Live #256,259 
			 www.worktrain.gov.uk Live #2,151,253

PSA Targets

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will place the data underlying his Department's value for money scores in relation to the 1998 public service agreements in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: The Department's Public Service Agreement (PSA) for the period 1999–00 to 2001–02 (published as Command Paper 4315) set out a number of value for money measures. These were reported on in the Department of Social Security's 2001 Departmental Report and the Department for Work and Pensions' annual report for 2002 (Command Papers 5115 and 5424 respectively), both of which are in the Library.

Pensions

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the cost of reintroducing the link between the state pension and average earnings.

Ian McCartney: Reintroducing the earnings link does nothing to help poorer pensioners. To do so would cost around #410m net in 2003–04 in today's prices. However, we will be spending an extra #6bn a year in real terms on pensioners as a result of policies introduced since 1997. This includes #2.5bn more on the poorest third of pensioners. This is three times more than an earnings link since 1998 would have given them.
	Increases in the basic State Pension over the last two years have given single pensioners #2.10 a week more than an earnings link would have given them and #3.35 more for couples.
	Note:
	The costs of increasing the basic State Pension by earnings are in 2002–03 prices, rounded to the nearest #10m.

Pensions

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the (a) net cost of linking pensions to earnings and (b) surplus in the National Insurance Fund in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2010.

Ian McCartney: The net cost to Government of increasing the basic State Pension by earnings, after taking account of savings in income-related benefits would be around #410 million in 2003–04 in 2002–03 prices.
	The surplus in the National Insurance Fund for the year ending 31 March 2000 was #2,161m. Long-run projections of the National Insurance Fund are contained in the report by the Government Actuary on the costs of uprating the basic retirement pension in line with the general level of earnings (CM 4920).
	Notes:
	1. The net cost of increasing the basic State Pension by earnings is, in 2002–03 prices, rounded to the nearest #10m.
	2. The Government Actuary's Department provides estimates of the cost to the National Insurance Fund of increasing the basic State Pension by earnings. Net costs are calculated using the DWP Policy Simulation Model.
	3. The surplus in the National Insurance Fund for Great Britain is taken from National Insurance Fund accounts and is in cash terms, showing the excess of receipts over payments.

Winter Fuel Payments

David Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to ensure that winter fuel payments can continue to be paid to a non-eligible person who is in receipt of income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance on behalf of a partner who is eligible for a payment.

Ian McCartney: Regulations laid before Parliament on 24 October will permit winter fuel payments to be made, where Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance is in payment for a couple, to the partner who is claiming for both, even if that person is aged under 60 and it is the other member of the couple who is entitled to the winter fuel payment. This will ensure that around 15,000 households continue to receive winter fuel payments automatically and timeously, without the need to claim. Such payments to the non-eligible partner made for the last two winters (#3 million per year) were not supported by legislation and the Department's relevant accounts will be noted accordingly.

Post Offices

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information will be provided to pensioners regarding the introduction and use of Post Office card accounts; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: All customers will be supplied with information (including letters and leaflets), which clearly set out their ''account options'' so they can choose the bank or building society account (including the Post Office card account) which best meets their needs and circumstances.

Social Exclusion Unit

Keith Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action he has taken to implement the recommendations relevant to his Department in the Social Exclusion Unit report ''Reducing re-offending by ex-prisoners.''

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 24 October 2002, Official Report 1, 495W.

Benefits

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will introduce a fast-track scheme to provide interim advance payments to people who appear to have a valid claim to benefit;
	(2)  if he will introduce a fast-track scheme to provide interim advance payments to people who appear to have made a valid claim for benefit from the Social Fund.

Malcolm Wicks: We recognise that many people making a claim to benefit will be in need of immediate financial support. To avoid unnecessary hardship, discretionary payments on account of benefit can be made where a claim has not been determined but the Decision Maker is satisfied that the basic conditions of entitlement for the benefit are likely to be met.
	Social Fund Crisis Loans can be made to people in an emergency where there are no other means of preventing serious damage or serious risk to health or safety. An inherent feature of Crisis Loan applications is that they should be dealt with on the day the need arises.
	In the case of the regulated Social Fund, for example Sure Start Maternity Grants or Funeral Payments, it would not be appropriate to make interim awards pending receipt of a valid claim. However, we believe arrangements for both elements of the scheme are sufficiently flexible to allow staff to have regard to the urgency of an application.

Tax Credits

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rules will be for passporting families to entitlement to the Sure Start maternity grant when the new tax credits come into force in April 2003.

Maria Eagle: From April 2003, Sure Start Maternity Grants will be payable to families receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Child Tax Credit at a rate greater than the family element, or Working Tax Credit where a disabled worker is included in the assessment.
	Applications may be made at any time from 11 weeks before the baby is due until three months after the birth, or up to three months after the date of an adoption or parental order.

Child support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimates he has made of the rate of compliance under the new Child Support Scheme;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the change in the child support maintenance compliance rate that will result from the new scheme reforms.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 4 November 2002
	A target of 75 per cent. compliance, to be achieved by the end of 2003 and applying to cases assessed under the new scheme, was included in 2000 in the Public Services Agreement for the former Department of Social Security. We have a long-term goal of improving on this figure, as our experience of the new scheme increases.

Child support

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the extent of delay in introducing new Child Support Agency assessment procedures.

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the reforms of the CSA will be fully implemented

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the letter sent to hon. Members on 19 September 2002 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, a copy of which was placed in the Library.

Social Fund

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people who applied for a budgeting loan in 2000–01 had an outstanding Social Fund loan;
	(2)  what his estimate is of the cost of replacing the double debt rule (Social Fund Direction 53), with a restriction based on just the amount owing.

Malcolm Wicks: The double debt rule is designed to ensure that people do not become over indebted by borrowing additional amounts from the Social Fund until they have repaid a reasonable proportion of the original loan. Further loans are refused to applicants who have an outstanding budgeting loan debt of more than half the maximum amount available to them. Once their existing debt drops to less than half they can reapply, although the amount of further loan available to them could still be affected by any outstanding debt.
	It is estimated that the cost of abolishing the rule while broadly maintaining maximum amounts available, would be around #100m in the first year. The cost would fall to #25m in the second year and #10m in the third 1 .
	Information is not available on the number of people applying for budgeting loans who already have an outstanding Social Fund loan. However, during 2000–01, 1,114,000 2 , 3 applications were made for a Social Fund budgeting loan where there was an existing Social Fund debt. This figure will include cases where one person has made more than one application.
	Note:
	3 The figure for applications from people with existing Social Fund debt includes Crisis Loan debt which is not subject to the double debt rule.
	Sources:
	1 DWP Analytical Services Directorate using data from the Social Fund policy, budget and management systems and a scan of Social Fund computer system.
	2 Social Fund policy, budget and management systems and a scan of the Social Fund computer system.

Customer Service

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the benefit claims forms that referred claimants to the Citizens Advice Bureaux Service for assistance and advice in their completion as at 30th September; what percentage of documents issued referred benefits claimants to Citizens Advice Bureaux (a) in 2001 and (b) up to 30th September; and what discussions the Government has had with the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux in respect of the inclusion of such references to advice.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 23 October 2002
	In accordance with the expressed wishes of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, the Department routinely advises customers on its claim forms and other written information products that they may seek further advice from sources such as their local Citizens Advice Bureau.
	The majority of our claim packs, covering most major benefits, include reference to the advice available from local Citizens Advice Bureau. We have recently confirmed with the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux that it is still their wish that we should do so. The purpose of the reference to local Citizen's Advice Bureaux is to make customers aware of the availability of their independent advisory services.
	A list of the Department's Claim Packs that include such references is set out below.
	Attendance Allowance
	DS2
	DS2A
	DS1140—changes
	DS263—reclaim
	Child Benefit
	CH2
	Disability Living Allowance
	(Adult)
	DLA1
	DLA1A
	DLA434—changes
	DLA580—reclaim
	DLA581—reclaim
	DLA582—reclaim
	(Child)
	DLA1
	DLA1A
	DLA434—changes
	DLA580—reclaim
	DLA581—reclaim
	DLA582—reclaim
	Guardian's Allowance
	BG1
	Invalid Care Allowance
	DS700
	Incapacity Benefit
	SC1
	SSP1
	Income Support
	A1
	Industrial Injuries
	Bl100-OA
	Bl100-OD
	Bl100-A
	Bl100-B
	Bl100-C
	Bl100-E
	Bl100-PN
	Jobseeker's Allowance
	JSA2 review claim pack
	Severe Disablement Allowance
	SDA1
	Social Fund
	SF100 Maternity Payment
	SF300 Community Care Grant
	SF500 Budgeting Loan

Child Benefit

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter to be sent to child benefit customers on 28th October informing them of their options for receiving benefit from April 2003.

Malcolm Wicks: A copy of the mailing sent to child benefit customers has been placed in the Library. The mailing consists of an invitation letter, supplementary information, a form to capture bank details and a pre-paid envelope. It explains account options that are open to customers and how to transfer to payment directly into an account.

Statistical Publications

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if his Department's research programme for 2002–03 includes research into the impact on the health of mental health service users of his Department's benefits policies; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has no plans to conduct research into the impact on the health of mental health service users of the Department's benefit policies in its 2002–2003-research programme. However, the Department conducts a wide range of research with its service users, which includes mental health service users in receipt of benefits.
	The Department publishes its research programme and all its commissioned research.

Fuel Poverty

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which of his Department's Public Service Agreements relate to fuel poverty reduction and what progress has been made to date in achieving them

Malcolm Wicks: The Department for Work and Pensions has no Public Service Agreement relating to a reduction in fuel poverty. Departments that do have Public Service Agreements on fuel poverty will report on progress against the targets in the Autumn Performance Reports, which will be published shortly.

Fuel Poverty

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress has been made in developing improvements to the Fuel Direct scheme; what the purpose of an improved scheme will be; and by what date a revised scheme is likely to be in place.

Malcolm Wicks: The Fuel Direct scheme is designed to protect the fuel supplies of people receiving income-related benefits—particularly families—who have run up arrears, by making payments direct from their benefit to the supplier until the debt is cleared. The scheme works well and there are no plans for a radical overhaul.
	As part of the Government's Fuel Poverty Strategy the Department has been working with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) to make a number of operational improvements to the scheme for the benefit of both customers and suppliers. The first stage of these improvements was introduced in March 2001 and work is underway to further modernise the scheme.

Uprating

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions' pursuant to his answer of 15 July 2002, Official Report, column 114W, on state pensions, if he will increase the basic state pension increments paid to pensioners who retired before April 2002 so that they maintain their original proportionate value as outlined in Benefits Agency literature.

Ian McCartney: The legal requirement, as set out in our literature, is that where people defer taking their pensions and, as a result, earn increments, then for every six days of deferral (excluding Sundays and days for which certain Nl benefits are received) the amount of the increments will increase by about 1 / 7 for each #1.00 of the weekly rate payable at the time the person becomes entitled to the state pension. We are also obliged to increase all parts of state pension by at least the rate of RPI on an annual basis. We have met these legal requirements.

British Residents

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will issue advice to British nationals residing in the islands of (a) Martinique, (b) Guadeloupe and (c) Reunion on the rationale of paying winter fuel payments to them;
	(2)  when he was advised by the European Commission that the Government was obliged to pay winter fuel payments to British residents in the overseas territories of the EU; what legislation governs this requirement; and if he will list the cost of such payments, broken down by current overseas territory of the EU;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on his policy for paying the winter fuel payment to British residents in (a) French Guiana and (b) Guyana; and if he will make a statement on how to determine the location of the British nationals who reside for part of the year in each country.

Ian McCartney: The Government, after careful consideration of its legal obligations under EC Regulation 1408/71 and discussions with the European Commission, concluded that certain people living in the EEA (or from winter 2002–3, Switzerland) could continue to get Winter Fuel Payments. I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to my hon. Friend the member for Caephilly on 19 July 2002, Official Report, column 599w.
	The EC regulation applies to member states, French overseas departments (Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Reunion), the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands. It also applies to Switzerland from 1 June 2002.
	We estimate the annual cost of such payments to be around #10 million.
	Eligible people, generally EEA nationals (which includes UK nationals) who qualified for a payment in Great Britain before moving to another EEA country will be able to continue receiving Winter Fuel Payments whilst they are ordinarily resident in another EEA country or Switzerland, provided that they continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria.
	If a person lives in more than one country, a decision will need to be made to determine whether he is entitled under the current rules.
	Notes:
	Winter Fuel Payments can only be made to people living in Switzerland from this coming winter. This is because, while Switzerland is not a member of the EEA, a formal agreement between Switzerland and the European Community (EC) countries will enable the EU Social Security coordination regulations to apply between Switzerland and the EC countries. The agreement came into force from 1st June 2002 and therefore, for Winter Fuel Payments, applies from winter 2002–03, but not before.
	However, the agreement does not extend to the three countries who are not part of the EC but who are part of the EEA, namely, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Therefore in some circumstances, Winter Fuel Payments may continue to be paid to people who are Swiss nationals who live in Switzerland or one of the EC countries, but not when they live in Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway. Similarly Winter Fuel Payments may continue to be paid to people who are nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway who live in an EEA country, but not when they live in Switzerland.
	Ministerial Approval
	Date
	SoS Approval
	PSL Approval

Basic Pensions

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of how much the state pension will be worth over the next 50 years.

Ian McCartney: The Government believe that the State Pension should remain the essential foundation of income in retirement.
	The basic State Pension is currently #75.50 for single pensioners. In the short-term we have given the guarantee that the basic State Pension will be increased by at least #100 a year for single pensioners and #160 a year for couples in 2003–04. In future years, the basic State Pension will be increased by 2.5 per cent. or the increase in the September Retail Prices Index, whichever is the higher.
	Based on current policy, we estimate that the rate of the basic State Pension will be around #76.25 in 50 years time in today's prices.

Winter Fuel Payments

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in which countries UK citizens entitled to receive the winter fuel allowance can reside and receive the allowance.

Ian McCartney: UK citizens who are entitled to Winter Fuel Payments will continue to receive the payments if they move to another European Economic Area country or Switzerland, provided that they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

TRANSPORT

Freight Vehicles (EU Regulations)

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the 48 hour average working week restriction will apply to drivers of large freight vehicles; if operators can require drivers to work more than 48 hours without having to sign an opt-out agreement to EU Regulation 3820/85; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: Directive 2002/15/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the organisation of the working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities was adopted on 11 March 2002 and must be transposed into national law not later than 23 March 2005. This directive, which matches the scope of Regulation (EEC) 3820/85 on drivers' hours, requires member states to ensure that the average weekly working time may not exceed 48 hours over a reference period of 4 months which may, in certain circumstances, be extended to 6 months. Neither directive 2002/15/EC nor Regulation 3820/85 provides for an opt out.

London Underground

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, 
	(1)  if he will list the sub-contracts entered into as part of the London Underground Public Private Partnership by (a) Bechtel, (b) Jarvis, (c) Amey, (d) Balfour Beatty, (e) W. S. Atkins, (f) Bombadier Transportation, (g) Thames Water, (h) Seeboard, indicating the (i) value and (ii) purpose of these sub-contracts; how many of these sub-contracts are with the above companies and connected businesses and how much these contracts are worth;
	(2)  if he will list for (a) Bechtel, (b) Jarvis, (c) Amey, (d) Balfour Beatty, (e) W.S. Atkins, (f) Bombadier Transportation, (g) Thames Water and (h) Seeboard, how much investment they have made into the London Underground Public Private Partnership to date; how much they are expected to invest and over what timescale; how much has (i) been paid to them from public funds and London Underground Limited to date and (ii) expected to be paid to them over (A) 70 years and (B) 30 years of the contracts they are involved in;
	(3)  if he will list each contract agreed in the London Underground Public Private Partnership with (a) Bechtel, (b) Jarvis, (c) Amey, (d) Balfour Beatty, (e) W. S. Atkins, (f) Bombadier transportation, (g) Thames Water and (h) Seeboard, indicating in each case the (i) value and (ii) purpose of the contract;
	(4)  what the estimated value to the London Underground is of investment via the Public Private Partnership by (a) Bechtel, (b) Jarvis, (c) Amey, (d) Balfour Beatty, (e) W. S. Atkins, (f) Bombadier Transportation, (g) Thames Water and (h) Seeboard over (i) 70 years and (ii) 30 years of the contracts they are involved in; whether this estimated value includes the profit element from these contracts to these companies; and if he will set out how this estimated value is calculated;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the levels of profits likely to be achieved from contracts and sub-contracts associated with the London Underground Public Private Partnership in (a) seven and a half years and (b) 30 years by (i) Bechtel, (ii) Jarvis, (iii) Amey, (iv) Balfour Beatty, (v) WS Atkins, (vi) Bombadier Transportation, (vii) Thames Water and (viii) Seeboard.

David Jamieson: London Underground Limited is conducting a procurement exercise for each of the three contracts to modernise the London Underground's infrastructure. The preferred bidder for the JNP contract is Tube Lines Group. The preferred bidder for the BCV and SSL contracts is Metronet. London Underground is proposing to enter into contracts with these consortia, not the individual companies listed.

London Underground

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects to transfer responsibility for the London Underground Public Private Partnership to the Mayor of London and Transport for London; whether he expects to set conditions on the transfer; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Government will retain responsibility for London Underground until the competitions for the PPP contracts have been completed, as envisaged by the GLA Act 1999. The Mayor and Transport for London will inherit the PPP contracts when London Underground Limited is transferred in due course.

London Underground

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations his Department has made to the Mayor of London in relation to his plans to appeal about the PFI on London Underground to the European Courts.

John Spellar: The Mayor's plans are a matter for him. A third legal challenge to the proposed PPP arrangements would simply delay further the investment the Underground system needs. There have already been two such delays, at significant cost to taxpayers in London.

London Underground

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) financial and (b) other information (i) his Department and (ii) London Underground Limited collate on (A) Bechtel, (B) Jarvis, (C) Amey, (D) Balfour Beatty, (E) W.S. Atkins, (F) Bombadier Transportation, (G) Thames Water and (H) Seeboard in respect of the London Underground Public Private Partnership; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The competitions for the PPP contracts to modernise the London Underground's infrastructure are the responsibility of London Underground Limited. The preferred bidders are Metronet and Tube Lines Group, each of which is a consortium. Assessment by London Underground, with its advisers, of the capacity of the preferred bidders to carry out their obligations under the contracts is an important part of the competitions. It is for London Underground, and not for the Government, to satisfy itself in relation to the bidding consortia.

Motorways

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those persons who have the right to direct that a stretch of motorway be closed to traffic in England and Wales; what criteria need to be applied in each case; and what (a) safeguards and (b) guidelines exist to ensure that such closure decisions are properly made before implementation.

John Spellar: Two organisations can close a motorway: the police, under the emergency powers granted to them by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 Section 67, and the relevant highway authority under Section 14, of the same act. The police use their powers to prevent obstruction of, or danger to or from, traffic as a result of extraordinary circumstances. In such an emergency, the police notify the highway authority that an incident has taken place, and ask for traffic management and diversion routes to be put in place. By their nature, closures by the police cannot be foreseen.
	As far as the trunk road network is concerned, the Highways Agency, in its role as Network Operator, is working pro-actively with its maintaining agents and the police forces in England to better manage incidents and help reduce the knock-on effect of congestion.
	Highway authorities are allowed to close roads where works on or near the road are likely to cause danger to the public or damage to the highway. Before closing a road, the authority is required to take account of the availability and suitability of alternative routes and, because closures are planned, advance warning is given.
	On the trunk road network the Highways Agency is working closely with its contractors to introduce more effective construction and maintenance techniques leading to fewer hold-ups while essential repairs are carried out.
	In either case, the decision to close a road is a matter for judgment taking into account the safety of the travelling public and, where appropriate, the workforce.

Speed Cameras

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria there are on installing roadside speed cameras on stretches of road which have a bad safety record in advance of safer stretches of highway.

John Spellar: Guidance on speed camera deployment is contained in Circular Roads 1/92. Additional rules and guidelines have been made available to those areas participating in the netting off funding system for safety cameras. In both cases the guidance is that speed cameras should be placed at sites and on routes where there is a history of speed-related crashes resulting in casualties.

Road Deaths

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many deaths there have been involving motorists on the hard shoulder of (a) motorway and (b) dualled trunk carriageways for which the Highways Agency is responsible in (i) 1997, (ii) 1999 and (iii) 2001; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: In the last five years, including the years for which information was requested, the numbers of people killed in an accident involving motorists on the hard shoulder are.
	
		
			  Motorways Dual Carriageway trunk roads 
		
		
			 1997 9 7 
			 1998 24 6 
			 1999 13 9 
			 2000 16 19 
			 2001 14 11 
		
	
	The numbers quoted for dual carriageway trunk roads also include people killed in lay-bys.
	Compared to all road accidents on motorways and dual carriageway trunk roads, there are relatively few deaths directly caused by accidents on the hard shoulder. Road accident figures are constantly monitored to identify where road improvements would be effective.

Car Sharing

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what encouragement his Department offers to advance car sharing by its staff.

David Jamieson: holding answer 5 November 2002
	The Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency in Swansea operate a voluntary car sharing scheme for its staff. Staff registered on the database are encouraged to car share by the provision of a free emergency taxi service should their sharing travel arrangements break down unexpectedly.

Car Registration

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his estimate is of the number of unregistered cars being driven; what plans he has to strengthen the law requiring registration and increasing penalties for non-registration; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The National Roadside Survey of Vehicle Excise Duty evasion which took place in June 1999 showed the level of evasion as 3.9 per cent. of revenue due which equates to #191 million in 2001–02. This was offset by #110 million recovered through enforcement activities. The number of unlicensed vehicles at any one time is around 1 million vehicles.
	We have introduced legislation which will make the registered keeper of a vehicle remain liable for it until a formal change of keepership is notified to DVLA. This system of continuous registration will help to improve the accuracy of the vehicle register which will lead to more efficient tax collection, and more effective enforcement. The legislation will be brought into force by regulations.
	In addition DVLA is working closely with the police and local authorities to target unlicensed and abandoned vehicles. Last year, DVLA took successful action against 800,000 evaders recovering some #110 million in fines, penalties and re-licensing revenue.

Car Registration

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates his Department has made of how many vehicles have not been registered by their present owners with the DVLC as having changed hands.

David Jamieson: It is extremely difficult to provide a precise estimate of the number of vehicle keepers who failed to notify a vehicle transfer. The main problem is one of delay when the new keeper fails to notify acquisition until the licence is due for renewal. This will be addressed by our planned introduction of a system of continuous registration which will encourage immediate notice of transfer.
	Around 500,000 vehicles are currently shown on the register as ''between keepers'', the majority are in the hands of motor traders.

Car Registration

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to encourage vehicle owners to register a change of ownership with DVLC.

David Jamieson: The Modernising Vehicle Registration Implementation Board was established earlier this year with representatives from industry, motorists' organisations, the police and the insurance industry to advise my right hon. Friend on ways to improve procedures. The aim is to improve the accuracy of the vehicle register to combat vehicle crime, to help local authorities trace the owners of abandoned cars and to bear down on vehicle excise duty evasion.
	Progress on these issues have been reported to the House in my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) on 11 June 2002, Official Report, column 1138W and in my answer to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) on 21 October 2002 [Official Report, column 27W].

Rail Franchising

Lawrie Quinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on rail franchising policy.

Alistair Darling: The Strategic Rail Authority has announced today a new approach to franchising. Under it the SRA will be much clearer what it expects from each train operating company. Train companies will not just be judged on whether trains run on time but also on the cleanliness of trains and stations, accurate travel information and passenger security.
	The nature of the franchising structure put in place at privatisation has contributed to the difficulties in the railway industry—especially poor performance and variable quality of service.
	Today, with the Government's support, the SRA has announced a new approach to franchising that puts passengers first. It intends to do so through: tighter specification of services, station standards, train cleanliness and journey quality; and robust incentives and penalties that will influence positively the behaviour of operators. These include: changes to the performance regime; quantified performance indicators for service and station quality, with payment by results; and a new approach to the award and management of franchises. The first franchise awarded under the new basis is expected to start operating in 2004.
	The SRA has also announced proposals to make better use of the railway by combining franchises at key London stations—from 3 to 1 at Liverpool Street, from 2 to 1 at Waterloo and from 3 to 2 at Paddington.
	Transitional arrangements are being put in place as it is not practical to award all of the franchises due to expire by 2004 simultaneously. The SRA has therefore made a number of detailed announcements on individual franchises today. These include: an invitation to Connex Transport UK Ltd and First Group/Keolis SA to proceed to detailed negotiations on Heads of Terms for the TransPennine franchise; negotiations with Arriva Trains Northern on an interim franchise to operate services until the Northern Rail franchise commences in 2004; a one-year extension to the current South West Trains franchise to February 2004; and the agreement of principles with Stagecoach Holdings plc for a new South West Trains franchise extending to 2007.
	Further adjustments to franchise periods may be necessary to facilitate an orderly transition from the existing franchise regime to the new one. I shall be prepared to use my powers of direction under section 26 of the Railways Act 1993 for this purpose.
	This announcement is another step towards delivering a reliable and safe railway and builds on the SRA's consultation on its Capacity Utilisation Strategy launched on 5 September.
	Copies of the SRA's Franchising Policy Statement have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Railtrack

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what property rights the Government possessed in respect of the assets of Railtrack on 10 May.

David Jamieson: In connection with the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the Secretary of State had (and continues to have) rights under a Property Agreement entered into with Railtrack plc to buy from the company any land owned by the company which is needed for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, and certain rights of access.

Cliffe Airport Option

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the distance is from the mean low water mark on the OS map to the edge of the four runway Cliffe Airport Option at the nearest point; and whether the four runway Cliffe Airport Option would be built past the mean low water mark at any point.

David Jamieson: The Cliffe option boundary, as published in the The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East consultation document, is around 1300 metres from the general Mean Low Water (MLW) line (excluding inlets and streams) and would not require building past the MLW mark.
	The precise location of this, and all other published options, should be considered as indicative only. If any option is supported in the air transport White Paper more detailed design and project definition will be required.

Cliffe Airport Option

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the distance is from the proposed edge of the four runway Cliffe Airport Option to the borough constituency boundary for Castle Point, at the closest point.

David Jamieson: As published in The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East) consultation document, the Cliffe option lies about 2.5 kilometres from the Castle Point borough boundary, at the closest point.

Cliffe Airport Option

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how high above the River Thames, at low tide, (a) the runways and (b) the highest buildings would be in the Cliffe Airport four runway option.

David Jamieson: The South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS) analysis indicates that the runways associated with the Cliffe option would be between 12 and 15 metres above mean sea level. The analysis did not include either a calculation against low tide levels or the design of airport buildings and associated infrastructure.
	If the option is supported in the air transport White Paper, more detailed design and project specification would be needed.

Cliffe Airport Option

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the proposed length is in the Cliffe Airport Option, of (a) the cross-wind runway and (b) the main east-west runways.

David Jamieson: The Cliffe option published in The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East) consultation document has a main east-west runway length of around 4000 metres. The diagonal runway is 3000 metres long. Both include an allowance for runway end safety areas.

Cliffe Airport Option

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what circumstances in the Cliffe Airport Option the cross-wind runway will be used for passenger movements.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 15 October 2002, [Official Report, column 724W].

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Palace of Westminster

Richard Shepherd: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many members of the Metropolitan Police Fire Section are based within the precinct of the Palace of Westminster; and if he will list (a) their duties and (b) the equipment available for use in an emergency.

Archy Kirkwood: There are 21 Metropolitan Police Fire Officers based on the Parliamentary Estate. Their duties include fire prevention, response to alarm calls, patrols of the estate to ensure fire safety measures are in place, together with initial response to fires. In the event of Fire Brigade Officers attending a fire, the role of the Metropolitan Police Fire Officers is to liaise, brief and guide. They are provided with personal protective clothing and they have access to hand held fire extinguishers.

Portcullis House (Fire Certificate)

Richard Shepherd: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if, in the absence of a fire certificate for Portcullis House, the certificate of employers' liability insurance issued to hon. Members remain valid; and if the (a) fire safety doors, (b) alarm systems and (c) evacuation procedure meet British safety standards.

Archy Kirkwood: Despite the delay in granting a fire certificate for Portcullis House, the employers' liability insurance arranged on behalf of Members remains valid.
	The fire strategy for Portcullis House, which encompasses safety doors, alarm systems and evacuation procedures, conforms to British safety standards and the terms of relevant legislation. I will arrange for the hon. Gentleman to be supplied with further details if he wishes.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Road Peace

Simon Hughes: To ask the Solicitor-General what actions she proposes to take to respond to representations from RoadPeace following their meeting with Ministers on 10 October, and if he will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The Attorney and I recognise that fatal road traffic crashes have a devastating effect on the family and friends of the victim. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is committed to ensuring that such cases are dealt with sensitively and are reviewed by prosecutors with requisite experience. The Attorney and I will continue to ensure the CPS implements its commitment under the Victim's Charter and the Direct Communication with Victim's initiative to provide support to victims and those who have been bereaved as a result of road traffic offences.
	The CPS has, since the meeting with RoadPeace, re-issued nationally to its staff a reminder to implement, so far as is possible, guidance provided in various cases, on how best to deal with situations where inquests and criminal proceedings arising out of the same incident are pending.
	The CPS brings to the Law Officers' attention, in appropriate cases, sentences passed by the Crown Court for us to consider a referral to the Court of Appeal as an Unduly Lenient Sentence. Since the beginning of this year we have referred to the Court of Appeal 6 cases involving either death by dangerous driving or death by careless driving when over the prescribed limit for alcohol.

Road Peace

Simon Hughes: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will publish the responses her Department receives to the consultation on the Criminal Justice White Paper and place them in the Library.

Harriet Harman: The responses to the consultation exercise are currently being considered. I will make arrangements to publish those that we have received once that work is concluded.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Solicitor-General what role the Crown Prosecution Service has in prosecuting antisocial behaviour orders.

Harriet Harman: Pursuant to the answer, 24 October 2002, column 452W. Details for the final paragraph should read as follows:
	There were prosecutions of 78 breaches of ASBO's occurring between January—December 2000, leading to convictions in 69 (9 were dismissed). 7 of the breaches were not proceeded with on public interest grounds.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Drinks Licences

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to transfer responsibility for the granting of drinks licences in Northern Ireland from magistrates to local government authorities.

Des Browne: Northern Ireland has its own law on liquor licensing as contained in the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. There are no plans to transfer responsibility for the granting of drinks licences from magistrates to local authorities in Northern Ireland.

Gaming Machines

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will bring Northern Ireland legislation on gaming machines into line with that in the rest of the United Kingdom.

Des Browne: Northern Ireland has its own law on gaming machines which is included in the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. While this is broadly in line with the equivalent legislation in Great Britain, there are significant differences which take account of local circumstances in Northern Ireland. I have no plans to change this arrangement.

Wind Farms

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations in each of the last five years he has received recommending an increase in the speed with which planning applications for wind farms are considered.

Angela Smith: The Secretary of State's office has not received any such representations during the period specified.

HMS Caroline

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will have discussions with the Ministry of Defence to bring about the future use of HMS Caroline as part of the wider tourist attractions of the Belfast Harbour and River Lagan.

Ian Pearson: HMS Caroline is currently a training ship of the Ulster Division of the Royal Navy Reserve (RNR) docked in Titanic Quarter, Belfast. I understand that the RNR has plans to build a new on-shore base in Belfast once the finance becomes available and as a result, HMS Caroline will be surplus to requirements. However, until the shore base plans are implemented, HMS Caroline will remain a training ship.
	I will ask the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to explore with relevant partners, including the Ministry of Defence, possibilities for the future use of HMS Caroline.

Grammar Schools

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 24th October 2002, Official Report, column 476W, on selective schools, what his estimate is of the level of public support for the retention of grammar schools in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: Grammar schools are popular with parents and, like many other schools, are oversubscribed each year with applications for places.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

European Union

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when (a) his Department and (b) Ministers were informed of plans to introduce an EU top level domain; and if he will make a statement on the accuracy of his Department's initial press briefings on this subject.

Denis MacShane: The information requested is not available at this time. However, I shall write to the hon. Member with a full answer as soon as possible.

European Union

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the European Union offices outside of the EU, indicating the number of permanent staff; what the annual running cost is, of each office; what the diplomatic status of staff is; and if he will make a statement on the relationship between his Department and them.

Denis MacShane: There are 144 European Delegations in Third party countries, employing a total of 843 permanent staff:
	
		
			 Delegation Permanent Staff 
		
		
			 Afghanistan, Kabul 8 
			 Albania, Tirana 11 
			 Algeria, Algiers 9 
			 Angola, Luanda 5 
			 Antigua and Barbuda, St. John's 0 
			 Argentina, Buenos Aires 6 
			 Armenia, Yerevan 0 
			 Australia, Canberra 3 
			 Bahamas, Nassau 0 
			 Bangladesh, Dhaka 10 
			 Barbados, Bridgetown 6 
			 Belarus, Minsk 0 
			 Belize, Belize City 0 
			 Benin, Cotonou 9 
			 Bolivia, La Paz 5 
			 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo 9 
			 Botswana, Gaborone 4 
			 Brazil, Brasilia 9 
			 Bulgaria, Sofia 7 
			 Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou 11 
			 Burundi, Bujumbura 3 
			 Cambodia, Phnom Penh 2 
			 Cameroon, Yaoundé 9 
			 Canada, Ottawa 5 
			 Cape Verde, Praia 1 
			 Central African Rep., Bangui 4 
			 Chad, Ndjamena 5 
			 Chile, Santiago 5 
			 China, Beijing 18 
			 China, Hong-Kong 4 
			 Colombia, Bogota 8 
			 Comores, Moroni 1 
			 Congo, Rep., Brazzaville 3 
			 Costa Rica, San Jose 2 
			 Croatia, Zagreb 7 
			 Cuba, Havana 1 
			 Cyprus, Nicosia 3 
			 Czech, Rep., Prague 8 
			 Democratic Rep. of Congo, Kinshasa 6 
			 Djibouti, Djibouti 1 
			 Dominican Rep., Santo Domingo 7 
			 Egypt, Cairo 13 
			 El Salvador, San Salvador 0 
			 Equador, Quito 0 
			 Equatorial Guinea, Malabo 1 
			 Eritrea, Asmara 3 
			 Estonia, Tallin 6 
			 Ethiopia, Addis Ababa 12 
			 Fiji, Suva 4 
			 Fyr Macedonia, Skopje 5 
			 Gabon, Libreville 5 
			 Gambia, Banjul 1 
			 Georgia, Tbilissi 9 
			 Ghana, Accra 7 
			 Grenada, St. George's 0 
			 Guatemala, Guatemala City 5 
			 Guinea, Conakry 8 
			 Guinea-Bissau, Bissau 3 
			 Guyana, Georgetown 4 
			 Haiti, Port Au Prince 5 
			 Honduras, Tegucigalpa 0 
			 Hungary, Budapest 7 
			 India, New Delhi 12 
			 Indonesia, Jakarta 9 
			 Israel, Tel Aviv 6 
			 Ivory Coast, Abidjan 11 
			 Jamaica, Kingston 5 
			 Japan, Tokyo 18 
			 Jordan, Amman 8 
			 Kazakhstan, Almaty 9 
			 Kenya, Nairobi 13 
			 Kingdom of Tonga, Nuku'alofa 0 
			 Korea, Seoul 5 
			 Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek 0 
			 Laos, Vientiane 1 
			 Latvia, Riga 6 
			 Lebanon, Beirut 8 
			 Lesotho, Maseru 3 
			 Liberia, Monrovia 0 
			 Lithuania, Vilnius 6 
			 Madagascar, Antananarivo 10 
			 Malawi, Lilongwe 6 
			 Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 2 
			 Mali, Bamako 9 
			 Malta, Valetta 4 
			 Mauritania, Nouakchott 5 
			 Mauritius, Port Louis 5 
			 Mexico, Mexico City 6 
			 Moldava, Chisinau 0 
			 Morocco, Rabat 11 
			 Mozambique, Maputo 7 
			 Namibia, Windhoek 5 
			 Nepal, Kathmandu 1 
			 Netherlands Antilles, Willemstad 1 
			 New Caledonia, Noumea 1 
			 Nicaragua, Managua 13 
			 Niger, Niamey 9 
			 Nigeria, Abuja 7 
			 Norway, Oslo 3 
			 Pakistan, Islamabad 9 
			 Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby 4 
			 Paraguay, Asuncio 1 
			 Peru, Lima 6 
			 Philippines, Manila 7 
			 Poland, Warsaw 11 
			 Romania, Bucharest 9 
			 Russia, Moscow 23 
			 Rwanda, Kigali 5 
			 Samoa, Apia 0 
			 Sao Tome and Príncipe, Sao Tome 1 
			 Saudi Arabia, Riyadh 2 
			 Senegal, Dakar 8 
			 Sierra Leone, Freetown 4 
			 Singapore, Singapore 1 
			 Slovakia, Bratislava 6 
			 Slovenia, Ljubljana 6 
			 Solomon Islands, Honiara 1 
			 South Africa, Cape Town 0 
			 South Africa, Pretoria 12 
			 Sri Lanka, Colombo 1 
			 Sudan, Khartoum 3 
			 Surinam, Paramaribo 1 
			 Swaziland, Mbabane 2 
			 Switzerland, Geneva 18 
			 Syria, Damascus 9 
			 Tajikistan, Dushanbe 0 
			 Tanzania, Dar es Salaam 9 
			 Thailand, Bangkok 12 
			 Togo, Lomé 2 
			 Transjordan and Gaza Strip, Jerusalem 10 
			 Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain 2 
			 Tunisia, Tunis 10 
			 Turkey, Ankara 9 
			 Uganda, Kampala 7 
			 Ukraine, Kiev 11 
			 United States of America, New York 11 
			 United States of America, Washington 25 
			 Uruguay, Montevideo 8 
			 Vanuatu, Port Vila 1 
			 Venezuela, Caracas 7 
			 Vietnam, Hanoi 9 
			 Yogoslavia, Belgrade 6 
			 Zambia, Lusaka 7 
			 Zimbabwe, Harare 4 
			 Floater, Missions 5 
			  
			 Total 843 
		
	
	Note:
	Where no permanent staff are listed, delegations are managed in entirety by locally engaged staff.
	The total allocation under Title A6 of the budget (Staff and Administrative Expenditure of European Community Delegations) for 2002 is Euro273.3 million.
	Whether or not delegation officials enjoy diplomatic status depends on the individual arrangements agreed between the European Commission and the relevant host country or organisation.

Diplomatic List

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that individuals on secondment from the private sector in embassies are marked as such in the Diplomatic List, listing the firm from which they originated and the dates of their secondment.

Bill Rammell: The Diplomatic Service List normally includes only established members of the Diplomatic Service. Although secondees from the private sector and other Government Departments may be entitled to diplomatic privileges when abroad, they are not established members of the Diplomatic Service. The relatively short duration of secondments from the private sector means that, if included, entries for secondees could well be out of date by the time the list was published.

Arms Sales (Iraq)

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his Serbian counterpart regarding deliveries of Yugoslav arms to Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: We are very concerned about recent reports of arms sales from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to Iraq. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I raised this with the Yugoslav Foreign Minister, Dr. Goran Svilanovic, when he visited the UK on 30–31 October. We urged the Yugoslav Government to investigate the matter fully and bring criminal prosecutions against those responsible. We will continue to press for a thorough investigation.

Arms Sales (Iraq)

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the NATO operation in the Bosnia entity of Republika Srpska related to the sale of military equipment to Iraq.

Denis MacShane: NATO Stabilisation Force troops carried out a two-day search of the Bosnian Serb government owned Air Force Institute, Orao, on 11–13 October. The search uncovered evidence that Orao had been providing spare engine parts for Iraqi MiG fighter jets, as well as technical assistance in repairing the engines.
	Lord Ashdown, the High Representative in Bosnia, made a statement on 27 October demanding an immediate end to such assistance to Iraq and a full enquiry. He called for all those responsible to be brought to account, and for new controls to prevent any recurrence.
	A number of officials have since been dismissed. On 30 October, the State government announced a total ban on all arms imports and exports. We strongly support Lord Ashdown's proposals, and will continue to make clear to Bosnian leaders the need to address this as a matter of urgency.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what strategies his Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Mike O'Brien: All recruitment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. This is in line with the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code. It means that all applicants are treated equally regardless of age, gender or marital status, ethnic origin or disability.
	There are upper age limits for application to join the Diplomatic Service. Applicants must be able to complete at least one overseas tour before the normal retirement age. This allows us to achieve a sensible return on recruitment and training costs.

Zimbabwe

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of human rights abuse in Zimbabwe; if he will list the human rights abuses perpetrated in Zimbabwe that have been (a) reported to and (b) investigated by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Zimbabwe's human rights record is appalling. In its latest report on political violence dated 9 October, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum recorded 223 cases of abduction/kidnapping, 7 of rape, 1057 of torture and 58 of murder, in the period 1 January to 30 September 2002. Most of the violence has been perpetrated by Zimbabwe's ruling party, ZANU(PF). The vast majority of victims are opposition supporters, or those suspected of being such.
	The international community, including the UK, has consistently condemned these abuses and called on the Zimbabwe Government to respect their obligations under international human rights conventions. The EU, the US and others have imposed targeted sanction on the Mugabe regime and the Commonwealth has suspended Zimbabwe from its Councils.

Zimbabwe

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the adequacy of food supplies in Zimbabwe; what steps he has taken to monitor the future availability of adequate food supplies for the population of Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The food situation in Zimbabwe remains of serious concern. We, and other donors, are doing all we can—through the UN World Food Programme and Non-Governmental Organisations—to ensure that international aid reaches the needy regardless of their political views. There is credible evidence however that other sources of food, controlled by the ZANU PF regime, are being used in support of its political objectives. We deplore this, as well as the obstruction of the work of certain Non-Governmental Organisations, which also appears to be politically motivated.

Zimbabwe

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospects for foreign investment in Zimbabwe.

Bill Rammell: The prospects for foreign investment in Zimbabwe are poor. Figures show that it has declined by 99 per cent. since 1998. The reasons are obvious. Zimbabwe is one of the world's fastest shrinking economies. It has lost the support of major donors and international financial institutions. Its skilled labour force, faced with over 70 per cent. unemployment, food shortages and 140 per cent. inflation, is leaving the country. On top of this, the current regime in Harare has undermined the rule of law and the right to hold private property.

Conflict Prevention

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by country the projects funded by his Department under the Global Conflict Prevention Pool and the amount given to each.

Bill Rammell: The Global Conflict Prevention Pool is run jointly by FCO, MOD and DFID. The Pool is divided into strategies, some of which cover regions or themes and some cover specific countries as listed below.
	In Financial Year 2002–3 the geographical strategies and allocations are:
	Afghanistan—#18,070,000
	Balkans—#8,550,000
	Belize/Guatemala—#2,101,990
	Central & Eastern Europe—#10,940,000
	Indonesia/East Timor—#2,053,761
	Kashmir—#1,628,000
	Middle East—#5,850,000
	Nepal—#6,781,548
	Russia/FSU—#8,160,000
	Sri Lanka—#668,973
	In Financial Year 2002–3 the thematic strategies and allocations are:
	EU Civilian Crisis Management—#450,000
	OSCE/CoE—#1,630,000
	Security Sector Reform—#2,830,395
	Small Arms & Light Weapons—#11,150,000
	United Nations (capacity building for peacekeeping and conflict prevention)—#14,529,673
	Within these strategies there is a wide range of projects. A report on the operation of the Global Conflict Prevention Pool will be published after the end of its first two years of operation in May 2003.

Conflict Prevention

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the criteria are for the disbursement of funds from the Global Conflict Prevention Pool to (a) Macedonia, (b) Kosovo, (c) Bosnia, (d) Indonesia and (e) East Timor; how much was allocated from the pool for the purchase of equipment to each in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The criteria for all projects funded by the Global Conflict Prevention Pool, wherever they take place, are drawn from the Public Service Agreement target:
	''Improved effectiveness of the UK contribution to conflict prevention and management as demonstrated by a reduction in the number of people whose lives are affected by violent conflict and a reduction in potential sources of conflict, where the UK can make a significant contribution.''
	This is a joint target for the three departments involved in the Pool, FCO, MOD and DFID.
	The GCPP's programme funds are disbursed to strategies agreed by the Ministerial committee responsible for managing the Pool. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her today (UIN 79560) which provides a full list of the current strategies and their allocations.
	Activity in Macedonia, Kosovo and Bosnia is funded from the Balkans strategy. This strategy has four strands: Access to Justice, Strengthening Democracy and Inter-Ethnic relations, Security Sector Reform and Countering Organised Crime.
	Activity in Indonesia and East Timor is covered by the Indonesia/East Timor strategy. This strategy is divided into three strands: Security Sector Reform in Indonesia, Conflict Reduction in Indonesia and Conflict Prevention in East Timor.
	The specific information about equipment purchase will take some time to confirm. I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

Conflict Prevention

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what equipment will be purchased with the money (a) allocated to logistical equipment, (b) allocated to communications equipment and (c) for equipment in support of military intelligence for Nepal under the Global Conflict Prevention Pool.

Mike O'Brien: The total for military support under the Global Conflict Prevention Pool for this financial year is #3,669,000. This can be broken down as follows.
	1. #250,000 on bomb disposal equipment and training for the Nepalese security forces
	2. #149,000 on support and training for the newly formed Military Intelligence Support Group (MISG) within the Royal Nepalese Army, including tactical radios and night-vision telescopes and binoculars
	3. #2,600,000 on two transport helicopters
	4. #460,000 to provide training in human rights awareness, peace support operations and in civil-military co-operation.
	5. #210,000 towards infrastructure costs for the regional UN peacekeeping centre at Panchkal.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Baton Rounds

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the use of the L21A1 baton round at a range of less than 20 metres.

John Denham: At the request of the Association of Chief Police Officers, which believes that the improved accuracy of the L21A1 baton round means it is suitable for use in serious public disorder and also in dealing with individuals posing an immediate threat to life in circumstances where use of a conventional firearm may otherwise be necessary, we have sought and received a medical statement from the Defence Scientific Advisory Council on the use of the L21A1 baton round at ranges from 1 to 19 metres. This supplements their earlier assessment of the injury potential over longer ranges published on 2 April 2001.
	The statement confirms that the probability of unintentional impact to the most vulnerable parts of the body remains low when the round is discharged at ranges of less than 20 metres and that there is no significant change in the probability of rounds striking the potentially vulnerable chest area. This means that the likelihood of serious injury or death occurring as the result of the impact of an L21A1 baton round is no greater at ranges between 1 and 19 metres than at the longer ranges which were the subject of the earlier statement by the Defence Scientific Advisory Council.
	I will today be placing a copy of the statement in the Library. The Association of Chief Police Officers is considering, in consultation with the Government, what, if any revision to its existing guidelines on the use of baton rounds may be appropriate in the light of this statement.

Nationality Instructions

Christine Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will place copies of the instructions to Immigration and Nationality Directorate staff dealing with applications for British citizenship in the Library.

Beverley Hughes: The Nationality Instructions contain guidance to staff on the handling of applications for British nationality and related matters. A version of these Instructions has now been added to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's website and hard copies are being placed in the Library. The Instructions are being made available in accordance with the principles of openness in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. A small amount of material cannot be disclosed, either on the grounds of national security or because disclosure would impede the effective administration of the legislation. The material is subject to periodic review and revision.

Passports

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received concerning children under 18 holding BNOCO BDTC passport; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
	None.

Stalking

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what measures the Government have taken to reduce the number of women being stalked;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards stalking, with particular reference to younger women.

Hilary Benn: The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 provides the legal framework for the prevention of offending, and punishment of those pursuing a course of conduct which is alarming or distressing to another, or in the worst cases causes another to fear violence. The Government are committed to reducing this type of crime, as with all violent crime, particularly when it is perpetrated against vulnerable individuals.
	Following the 1997 legislation we commissioned the guide ''Stalking and other forms of harassment: An investigator's guide'', written by Hamish Brown from the Metropolitan Police. This provides advice in the main for police officers about how to use various pieces of legislation to deal with those causing harassment but it also contains advice for victims.
	We have also conducted a number of research studies into various types of behaviour related to harassment. Research suggests that a substantial proportional of harassment is carried out by ex-partners. Domestic violence is a key priority across government. A cross-departmental Ministerial Group is currently looking at five areas for action: increasing safe accommodation choices for women and children; developing early and effective healthcare intervention; Improving the link between criminal and civil law; ensuring a consistent and appropriate response from the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS); and promoting education and awareness raising.

Data Protection

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance he has issued to public authorities about the procedures for the collection of communications data under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 with regard to industrial action; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: The access to communications data provisions in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) have not yet been implemented. I will be bringing forward new proposals in relation to any additional public authorities under Chapter II of Part I of RIPA following detailed public consultation. However, the RIPA does not provide for access to communications data for purposes relating to industrial action. A strict test of ''necessity'' must be met before any communications data is obtained under RIPA. An authorising officer must not only consider the communications data to be necessary but must also consider the conduct involved in obtaining the communications data to be ''proportionate'' to what it seeks to achieve. The grounds on which it is necessary, for example, include: in the interests of national security; for the purpose of preventing or detecting crime or of preventing disorder.

Fire Safety

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects to receive the conclusions and recommendations of the review that he has commissioned into fire safety precautions and the use of sprinklers in young offender institutions, adult prisons and detention centres.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 28 March 2002
	The report is in its final stages of preparation and I would expect to receive it soon.

Criminal Record Checks

Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to suspend the checking of applicants from voluntary organisations by the Criminal Records Bureau; and what alternative arrangements he will put in place.

Hilary Benn: There are no plans to suspend checks of applicants from voluntary organisations. Due to current operational difficulties being experienced by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), it has been necessary to announce proposals to postpone mandatory checks under certain regulations arising from the Care Standards Act 2000. These would apply to voluntary organisations and to any other bodies which are subject to there regulations. The Government remain committed to introducing mandatory checks in these areas at the earliest possible opportunity. For the time being, even without the CRB check, the regulations and national minimum standards will help to improve standards and protect service users.

Fire Service Cover

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what preparations he has made to ensure the safety and continuity of service to the public in the event of a firefighters' strike.

David Blunkett: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Local Government and the Regions on 28 October 2002, Official Report, column 527W.

Security Operation (Barrow-in-Furness)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many (a) police officers and (b) anti-terrorist officers were involved in the security operation at Barrow-in-Furness for the docking of the Pacific Pintail and Pacific Teal vessels in September, and if he will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: I have been asked to reply.
	Security for the transportation of nuclear material is regulated by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS), the security regulator. It is not Government policy to disclose details of security measures taken in connection with nuclear material.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Ghana

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assistance her Department has given to expanding access to clean and affordable water for the people of Ghana; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: The Government of Ghana decided some years ago to invite tenders from the private sector to improve the delivery of publicly owned water services in Accra. This policy was agreed by the previous government and supported by the government elected in December 2000.
	Ghana has faced a barrage of misleading campaigning suggesting that this is a privatisation—which it is not and that the poor will suffer. In fact the urban poor currently receive no water services and pay very high prices for water they purchase by the bucket.
	My Department has provided #10 million to support this reform which was put in place by Ghana's democratic elected government and will improve water services for the poor.

HIV Vaccine

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the contribution the UK can make towards the development of a vaccine against HIV for use in the developing world.

Sally Keeble: The UK is making a significant contribution to work on developing AIDS vaccines. For example, the Medical Research Council in partnership with Oxford and Nairobi Universities are making very good progress on vaccines designed specifically for use in Africa. These trials are due to take place in the next few years. My Department has contributed #14 million to this work over the last 5 years.

Malawi

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Malawi.

Clare Short: A recent assessment concluded that 2.2 million people will be in need of food assistance between September and December 2002, and that this will rise to 3¼ million—or one third of the population in early 2003.
	My Department is playing a leading role in a partnership with the Government of Malawi, and other donors to try to cope with the crisis. DFID has so far provided #30 million emergency assistance to Malawi.

Sustainable Development

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proposals her Department has to meet the targets and outcomes agreed at the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Clare Short: The World Summit strengthened the international community's commitment to the Millennium Development Goals and added an important new target on access to sanitation. The international summits of the last two years have established a clear international consensus on the action needed to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. We now need a period of intensive implementation. The world community must deliver on the promises it has made. My Department will play its full part in making this happen.

Sri Lanka

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans there are by members of her Department to visit Sri Lanka to discuss possible assistance for redevelopment; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: My Department maintains an office within the British High Commission in Colombo. Staff in this office are working to develop a range of programmes to support the peace process, rehabilitation and reconciliation.
	We are providing #2.6 million through the United Nations, to help returning Internally Displaced Persons re-establish their livelihoods. Assistance has also been provided to the Government of Sri Lanka to help direct and co-ordinate international assistance. Further support will be considered in the light of needs assessments currently being completed.

Sanitation Target

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her Department will be doing to make sure the target of halving the number of people without access to adequate sanitation by 2015 is met.

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the target for halving the number of people without access to adequate sanitation by 2015 is met

Clare Short: We worked very hard to win international agreement to the sanitation target. Diarrhoeal disease accounts for over 2 million child deaths each year and this can be reduced by better hygiene practices, safer water supplies and provision of sanitation. Provision of access to safer water, basic sanitation and improved hygiene must be driven forward together to have the greatest impact in the health and livelihoods of the poor—more than half the world's population have no access to sanitation. My Department's bilateral expenditure on sanitation, hygiene promotion and clean water in the past three years is:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 1999–2000 84.3 million 
			 2000–2001 90.6 million 
			 2001–2002 87.2 million

UNRWA

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on Britain's contribution to UNRWA.

Clare Short: The UK is UNRWA's second largest bilateral donor. Our contributions to UNRWA's General Fund, emergency appeals, and technical co-operation, have risen from #8.5 million in 1999 to planned expenditure in 2002 of about #22 million. This reflects the rising numbers of refugees, our increased confidence in UNRWA's operations, and the emergency situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

UNRWA

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what additional support she will make available to UNWRA to deal with the humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza.

Clare Short: Over the last two years, in response to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, we have contributed a total of #20 million to UNRWA's emergency appeals. This includes an additional contribution of #2 million this year which I confirmed to Commissioner-General Hansen in October. Emergency funding is in addition to our contributions to UNRWA's regular schooling, healthcare and social services programmes.

Afghanistan

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her policy is on humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.

Clare Short: The latest UN assessment shows that 4.2 million people are still dependent on food aid. Very large numbers of people are also vulnerable to the effects of winter. It is important that the international community works with the Afghan authorities to ensure that basic humanitarian needs are met, whilst seeking to avoid creating a dependency culture. This means, where feasible, shifting to a more sustainable form of assistance (cash for work rather than food for work).
	I have recently approved additional allocations of #11 million for the provision of humanitarian assistance during the coming winter, through the relevant UN agencies.

Afghanistan

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans she has to increase aid to Afghanistan

Clare Short: At the Tokyo donor conference in January this year I pledged #200 million over five years to support humanitarian and reconstruction needs in Afghanistan. In 2002–03, we originally planned to spend #40 million through UN agencies, NGOs and the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund. I have since increased this amount by #25 million, to help meet the increased humanitarian needs over the coming winter, and to help clear Afghanistan's arrears to the International Financial Institutions so that they can receive new concessional credits from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. In addition, we have earmarked #1.8 million of our annual contribution to the UN Mines Advisory Service for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Joyce Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a further statement on progress towards reconstruction in Afghanistan.

Clare Short: Much has been achieved in Afghanistan over the last 10 months. There is peace and security in Kabul, a legitimate transitional Government, a new national currency, nearly 2 million refugees have returned home and 3 million children are in school.
	But the situation remains fragile. Afghanistan is a desperately poor country and the south is facing its fifth year of drought and between 4 million and 6 million people are still dependent on food aid. The situation outside Kabul remains insecure, warlords control large militias and large parts of the economy are dependent on narcotics.
	Further progress requires the establishment of security outside Kabul and an increase in the capacity of the Government to deliver services across the country. The UK will remain engaged to support continuing progress and development.

EuroMed Process

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with other Government Departments about support for the EuroMed process

Clare Short: My Department has regular dialogue across Whitehall on issues relating to the EuroMed process. We work closely with the FCO and other Government Departments—and the European Commission, member states and EuroMed partner countries—to support the goals of the Barcelona Declaration that are relevant to my Department's work, including respect for human rights, creating an area of shared prosperity and developing human resources. This includes contributing to improved efficiency and quality of the EC's MEDA programme in working to benefit the poorest and most vulnerable people in the region.

Public Interest Organisation

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to encourage the growth of non-profit and voluntary public interest organisations in developing countries

Clare Short: Our commitment to strengthen the voices of civil society in developing countries was set out in the 1997 white paper ''Eliminating World Poverty—Challenge for the 21st Century'' and the 2000 White Paper ''Making Globalisation work for the poor''. We are now engaging directly with a wide range of civil society organisations in developing countries, to strengthen and build their capacity to help poor and excluded people to organise and get their voices heard.
	A significant number of DflD country programmes have developed programmes to help civil society to fulfil their role. Examples of larger programmes include:
	
		
			 Programme Country Value 
		
		
			 Poorest area civil society programme PACS India #27 M 
			 Human rights & governance programme HUGO Bangladesh #16.5 M 
			 Civil Society and Poverty Programme Tanzania #6.84 M 
			 Strengthening capacities for transformation SCAPE South Africa #4.15 M 
			 Through rights to needs for marginalised Malawians TRANSFORM Malawi #3.5 M 
		
	
	There is also an important role for UK civil society in strengthening civil society capacity within developing countries. The main channel of support to UK groups is through the Civil Society Challenge Fund which spends some #10 million a year. The aim is to support initiatives, implemented through an effective partnership with a developing country civil society organisation, which strengthens the capacity of that organisation to engage in local, national and international decision-making processes.

Heroin (Afghanistan)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she is taking to combat the planting of the 2003 heroin crop in Afghanistan by promoting and supporting alternative employment possibilities.

Clare Short: During 2002 it is estimated that between 20–30 per cent. of the opium poppy crop was destroyed through a UK led eradication and compensation scheme. However a more permanent solution to the problem of poppy crop production will only come about once alternative livelihood opportunities have been identified for poor people, and the law is enforced against opium traders and other criminal elements. My department is working closely with the Afghan authorities to strengthen law enforcement, interdiction and eradication capabilities, and supporting a number of initiatives to improve security and the overall environment for the generation of alternative livelihoods. I also recently approved #1 million of support to a UNDP administered National Area Based Programme that is expected to generate thousands of jobs in rural areas, and #1 million of support to the Aga Khan Foundation for a rural support programme in Badakhshan, a major poppy producing province in Afghanistan.

Africa

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of (a) trends in spending on international development aid to Africa by the UK since 1997 and (b) that of other member states of the European Union

Clare Short: Over the period 1997–2000 (the latest year for which comparable data are available) the level of UK bilateral official development assistance (oda) to Africa has increased by 43 per cent. Over the same period, oda to Africa from all EU members has fallen by 21 per cent. Excluding the UK, this fall becomes 36 per cent. Within this total, Germany's oda has fallen by 60 per cent., France's by 55 per cent. and Italy's by 23 per cent.

Africa

Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the outcomes were of the World Bank annual meeting in connection with the alleviation of poverty in Africa.

Clare Short: At the Annual Meetings Ministers recognised the special challenges faced by Africa in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. They urged the World Bank and the IMF to scale up assistance to these countries, and to build on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) initiative as a unique opportunity to make significant and quick progress working with African leadership. They recognised that aid will be more effective where is it well co-ordinated and aligned with country-owned strategies. Further pledges to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Trust Fund would benefit the 32 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that receive debt relief under the Enhanced HIPC Initiative.

Human Rights Training (South Africa)

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement about UK funding for police training on human rights in the Southern African Development Community.

Clare Short: My Department supports human rights training in Malawi through a course involving the Police, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman. We have also supported human rights police training in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. In Lesotho and South Africa we are supporting the creation of community police fora to help foster trust between the police and those that they serve. These activities fall within broader justice sector programmes that seek to ensure that the poor, who are often the most vulnerable to crime and exploitation, can access proper and impartial justice.

Palestine

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what measures the Government have taken in respect of the relief of poverty in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Clare Short: We support a wide range of initiatives to help meet both the urgent short term needs of the Palestinian people as economic and social conditions decline dramatically, and their longer term aspirations of a viable and sustainable state. As part of a wider international effort we work directly with the Palestinian Authority and other Palestinian organisations, and through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees. In the financial year 2001–02 originally planned programme expenditure of #18 million was increased to nearly #40 million. This financial year the original planning framework of #25 million has been increased to #32 million. We also contribute significantly through our share of EC funding.

Palestine

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department has provided to help water tankers reach the rural Palestinian population in areas without a networked water system; and if she will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: In conjunction with our international partners we have made repeated representations to the Israeli authorities to ease access restrictions for water, and other humanitarian supplies. We are also working closely with a number of rural communities to help improve their ability to harvest and store rainwater, and reduce their dependency on imported water.

EC Aid Programme

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on progress reforming the European Commission Aid Programme.

Clare Short: My Department is focusing its efforts on two broad objectives: improving the overall effectiveness of European Community development assistance and increasing its poverty focus.
	We welcome the positive steps that have been taken to reform EC development assistance in the past few years. These are beginning to show results in some areas, but significant improvements are still needed. We are pressing the EC to pursue its reform efforts vigorously in order to implement the November 2000 EC Development Policy, which for the first time makes poverty reduction the central objective of EC development programmes. Reform needs to produce speedier delivery, better impact and more capacity for policy dialogue in the field. Harmonising and simplifying the EC's cumbersome administrative and financial procedures is also a priority, along with work to establish a more coherent policy framework for EC aid.
	My Department is also working for agreement that a much greater share of EC aid should be allocated to low income countries where it will have the greatest impact on poverty reduction. In 2000, only 38 per cent. of EC aid was spent in low-income countries compared to 70 per cent. in 1990. This is far too low and indicates that EC aid is having a much less impact than it should on reducing poverty and contributing to building stability and prosperity worldwide.

Latin America

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the work of her Department in Latin America.

Clare Short: We are working with the EU, Inter-American Development Bank and other donors to reduce poverty in the region through the promotion of pro-poor growth, the reduction of inequality and improving governance, mainly in Brazil, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru and Bolivia. We provide support to improve the effectiveness of national development programmes in middle-income countries with major inequality and poverty problems such as Brazil and Peru. In Nicaragua, Honduras and Bolivia, which are Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), we are working with the Governments, civil society and other donors to help with the implementation of national poverty reduction strategies. In Guatemala and El Salvador we are working on health sector reform with the United Nations.

Zimbabwe

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what is she doing to ensure free and fair distribution of food aid in Zimbabwe.

Clare Short: DFID, the UN, and other donors in Zimbabwe work in close unison, and share the fundamental principle that humanitarian assistance should be provided on the basis of need alone. Donor funded programmes are closely monitored, and where problems are found or reported, the UN and donors are working together to seek to resolve them through mediation and complaints procedures. In a few cases, food distribution has been suspended until agreements have been reached that allow programmes to resume according to plan. The UN's view is that so far, very little food has been lost or diverted from its intended beneficiaries. We have not had any problems of this nature in our bilateral programme.
	There is credible evidence however that food is being distributed or sold by the Government of Zimbabwe through the national Grain Marketing Board in support of political objectives. We deplore this, as well as the obstruction of work of some non-governmental organisations which also appears to be politically motivated.

Kosovo

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the progress made in offering assistance to Kosovo

Clare Short: UK assistance to Kosovo began in June 1999, immediately after the NATO intervention. We delivered a #110 million programme of humanitarian assistance that included food supply, shelter, health care, mine clearance, support to the energy and water sectors, small and medium enterprise development and funding for international agencies. We also provided budgetary support.
	From 2000, we started to develop a longer term programme to help build the local capacity and institutions to tackle Kosovo's development and transition needs. Our Kosovo Strategy Paper, published in August 2001 covered support for civil and political rights, justice systems, economic restructuring, health care, social policy, public administration and minorities. We spent #12.5 million in 2000–01 and #11.7 million in 2001–02 on technical assistance and budget support; planning figures are #6.5 million in 2002–03 and #8 million in 2003–04 (figures are for Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, including Kosovo).
	Our main funding contribution to Kosovo is through our approximately 20 per cent. share of European Community programmes. This amounted to #170 million for 1999–2001 and is estimated at #110 million for 2002–03. We work closely with the EC to improve the effectiveness and impact of its programmes.
	We have just completed our first review of the Kosovo strategy. This highlighted that while international aid had been successful so far in meeting humanitarian and reconstruction needs, new challenges were to help the elected provisional institutions of self-government to take on their full responsibilities under the framework agreement agreed with the UN, to create the right environment for growth and reform as levels of international aid decline and to establish mechanisms for Kosovo to access loans from the international financial institutions.

Indonesia

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on levels of UK aid to Indonesia.

Clare Short: This year my Department will provide some #19.3 million for Indonesia. Of this amount #10 million is grant assistance, supporting governance reform, conflict prevention and reduction, the development of poverty reduction policies and the sustainable management of forest resources. The latter explicitly seeks to protect the interests of poor forest dwellers.
	A further #9.1m of concessional loans will be disbursed to meet residual commitments under the now defunct Aid and Trade Provision. In addition #0.2m will be provided to support peace building initiatives by NGOs in strife torn Maluku. My Department will also provide assistance to Indonesians whose livelihoods have been damaged by the Bali bombing.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions her Department has had with the Governments of (a) Democratic Republic of Congo, (b) Rwanda and (c) Uganda regarding the situation in the DRC; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: We maintain a regular and frank dialogue with each of the Governments of DRC, Uganda and Rwanda on the situation in DRC.
	We have particularly welcomed the signing of the Pretoria Agreement between DRC and Rwanda and the Luanda Agreement between DRC and Uganda. They are major steps towards peace in the region. The Rwandans have withdrawn their troops from DRC. The Ugandans have completed their withdrawal except for some troops the UN has asked to stay in the troubled town of Bunia. The DRC has taken some steps to arrest leading genocidaires and suggest to that political leadership of the genocidaires that they are no longer welcome in Kinshahsa but are dragging their feet on agreement to a transitional government including representatives of the armed and unarmed opposition.
	The Congo has suffered long enough from kleptocracy and more recently from war. We want to work with all parties in the region and the international community to start to rebuild the DRC so that its people and all those of the region can start to enjoy the benefits of peace.

European Council

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with the Prime Minister's office regarding the impact on poor countries of the recent meeting of the European Council.

Clare Short: None, but the impact of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and enlargement on poor countries has been discussed extensively by relevant Government departments for many months. In July, my department took an initiative to invite representatives from all EU governments to discuss ''The impact of CAP reform on Developing Countries''. These discussions are continuing with the next meeting in The Hague in January.
	It remains clear that without CAP reform, we cannot deliver on the promise we made at Doha to improve trading opportunities for the developing world. The UK will continue to press for a Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the CAP, which should lead to a farming policy which promotes sustainable development, protects and enhances the environment, encourages high standards, guarantees safe food and enables us to fulfil our international commitments.

CDC Capital Partners

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on her role in the recruitment of a new chief executive of CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: The Chief Executive of CDC Group plc is appointed by the Board in accordance with normal company practice. The Chairman of the Board is keeping me informed during the process.

UNHCR

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her Department's response is to the recent appeal by the UNHCR for funds; and what structures are in place in the event that the UNHCR does not receive the money following its appeal for funds and has to halt some of its aid programmes.

Clare Short: My Department provides both core, unearmarked, multi-annual funding to UNHCR and responds to specific appeals for particular situations that arise in countries on the basis of an assessment of humanitarian need. We are monitoring the situation closely but have not yet seen fit to provide extra funding to UNHCR, beyond that which is already committed, in response to their recent appeal.
	On becoming High Commissioner, Ruud Lubbers initiated a review to reestablish a focus on UNHCR's core protection activities, increase efficiency and address donor concerns about performance. In line with recent improvements in UNHCR's management, my Department has recently concluded negotiations on a four year Institutional Strategy Paper (ISP) with UNHCR. The ISP provides unearmarked funding of $US85m over four years. This is a significant achievement by both sides.
	I understand that further funding from other donors has been forthcoming in direct response to the appeal. It is too early to ascertain whether this funding will meet the needs of UNHCR in the short-term. We will continue to monitor developments closely.

Recruitment (Over-50s)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what percentage of new recruits to her Department in the past two years were aged 50 and over.

Clare Short: 10.5 per cent. of all new permanent recruits to DFID in the two years to 31 March 2002 were aged 50 or over.

Sudanese Refugees

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department is providing to Sudanese refugees who have recently fled the Biringi refugee settlement from north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Clare Short: It is our understanding that these refugees have become entangled in the recent fighting in Ituri province, but are not themselves directly targeted. But the security situation in Ituri is a serious obstacle to effective relief operations as current insecurity severely restricts access. Most operational relief agencies are restricted to the town of Bunia. The nearest UNHCR staff are in Aru, 80km away. Local NGOs have been attempting to access the area in the past few days.
	We have not provided direct assistance to this group of people. This year my Department is providing over #10 million in DRC, and #7 million in Sudan, to address humanitarian needs. We also provide core funding to UNHCR.
	We continue to press all sides in the conflict to allow access to humanitarian agencies. We are also doing our utmost to help resolve the conflicts in DRC and Sudan that result in these displacements within and across borders.
	A press statement issued on 31 October by the Security Council expresses grave concern about the situation in Ituri, and appeals to all parties to show restraint.

Sudanese Refugees

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the safety of Sudanese refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Clare Short: We have not made any specific assessment of the vulnerability of Sudanese refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many are in Ituri Province in the troubled North East of DRC, and are at risk in the current fighting as are the resident Congolese population. The fighting has a strong ethnic component, but we do not believe that for the time being the Sudanese are being specifically targeted.
	UNHCR estimate about 75000 Sudanese refugees in DRC. They are vulnerable, and suffer the same levels of abuse, deprivation, and lack of basic services, as the Congolese residents and other refugee groups.
	An estimated 17000 Refugees were scattered after an attacks on their camp at Beringi in Ituri province. The UN Security Council on 31/10 called on all parties involved in the fighting in the area to show restraint.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when she last met Jean Lemierre, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; and when she next intends to do so.

Clare Short: I last met the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at the DFID on Monday 21 October. Our next currently planned meeting is the EBRD's Annual Meeting in May 2003.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what meetings of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development she has attended; and what meetings of the bank she plans to attend.

Clare Short: I attended EBRD's Annual Board of Governors meeting in April 1999 and April 2001. I plan to attend the next Annual Meeting in Tashkent in May 2003, when the UK will Chair the Board of Governors. The 2003 Annual Meeting will be an important opportunity to emphasise the need for growth, stability, regional cooperation and essential reforms in Central Asia.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what permanent representation her Department has with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Clare Short: The UK Executive Director at the EBRD is a DFID official.

Global Conflict Prevention

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the criteria are for the disbursement of funds from the Global Conflict Prevention Pool to (a) Sierra Leone, (b) Uganda, (c) Rwanda, (d) DRC, (e) Ethiopia, (f) Sudan, (g) Nigeria and (h) Angola; how much was allocated from the pool for the purchase of equipment to each in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: (1) The Africa Conflict Prevention Pool covers priority countries/regions in sub-Saharan Africa and the Global Conflict Pool covers the Rest of the World. The Africa Pool combines a UN peacekeeping budget with a #50 million programme budget in FY 2001–2 and 2002–3. Funds are allocated to support inter-departmentally agreed geographic and thematic priorities, where a joint approach between Departments adds value to the UK's conflict prevention effectiveness.
	(2) The Africa Pool's priority areas are: geographic; Sierra Leone, Great Lakes (DRC, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi), Sudan, Angola, Nigeria South Africa and Thematic; Building African Peace Support Capacity, Tackling the Economic and Financial Causes of Conflict and Security Sector Reform.
	(3) The table summarises Programme Spend in 2001–2 and initial Allocations in 2002–3, equipment purchases would fall within programme budgets.
	
		
			  2001–2 Programme Spend 2002–3 Initial Programme Allocations 
		
		
			 Country/Regional   
			 1. Sierra Leone 36,139,047 26,529,789 
			 2. Uganda 758,843 753,000 
			 3. Rwanda and Great Lakes 622,520 7,182,700 
			 4. Burundi 1,500,000 690,491 
			 5. Sudan 223,000 399,509 
			 6. Nigeria 514,840 1,028,000 
			 7. Angola 0 239,000 
			 8. South Africa 1,200,000 1,632,000 
		
	
	Note:
	* Please note table excludes peacekeeping budget and regional thematic work. IMATT Sierra Leone is included in the Sierra Leone allocation

ENVIRONMENT

Primates

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Answer of 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 286W, on primate imports, if she will define the categories of breeding, personal, commercial and zoological collections with reference to non-human primates.

Elliot Morley: The EC CITES Regulations require import permit applicants to state the purpose for which the application is being made using one of the purpose codes given on the reverse of the application form. The Regulation does not offer formal definitions of these codes. However the UK considers that in the case of live primates:
	Code B (Breeding) means breeding in captivity primarily for non-commercial purposes.
	Code P (Personal) means a long-term personal pet.
	Code T (Commercial) means primarily for commercial purposes, including the pet trade.
	Code Z (Zoological collections) means scientific / breeding / educational / conservation purposes.

Primates

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many captive-bred non-human primates were imported into the United Kingdom in the last five years; for what purposes; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Our records show that between 1 January 1997 and 31 October 2002 a total of 25095 captive bred non-human primates were imported into the UK for the following purposes:
	Breeding: 76
	Personal: 0
	Commercial: 448
	Bio-medical research: 21113
	Zoological collections: 3458
	Imports of non-human primates are controlled under EC Regulations implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The Convention allows CITES parties to adopt stricter domestic measures Under this provision the UK decided from 22 May 2001 no longer to issue import permits for commercial trade in live primates.

Primates

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many primates are owned under a Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 Licence; and for what purposes these animals are owned;
	(2)  how many animals are owned under a Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 Licence, broken down by species;
	(3)  if she plans to amend the 1984 Schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 to remove animals that have been shown to pose no serious danger to the public.

Elliot Morley: As local authorities administer the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, details of licensed animals are not held centrally. However, as part of a review to examine the effectiveness of the Act, consultants reported in 2001 that on the basis of a 95 per cent. response from local authorities, 655 primates were then licensed. They did not seek the reason for keeping these animals.
	The consultants found a total of 11,878 animals were licensed, categorised as follows:
	
		
			 Category Number 
		
		
			 Primates 655 
			 Rodents 14 
			 Carnivores 269 
			 Pinnipeds 3 
			 Elephants 1 
			 Odd-toed Ungulates 20 
			 Even-toed Ungulates 5339 
			 Birds 5232 
			 Reptiles 334 
			 Invertebrates 11 
		
	
	The Even-toed ungulates and birds comprise, for the most part, farmed wild boar and ostrich. A copy of the consultants report can be downloaded by visiting www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/consult/dwaa/index.htm.
	The consultants' report has recommended changes to the 1984 Schedule to the Act. We have sought views from the public on all their recommendations, including those on the schedule, and shall be drawing up our own proposals to address the shortcomings identified. Our proposals will be the subject of a further public consultation exercise in due course, as a result of which decisions will be taken as to whether or not the Schedule needs to be altered.

Environmental Information

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date she expects increased access to environmental information will be available under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and which (a) minister and (b) official in her Department has lead responsibility for this matter

Michael Meacher: I have just completed public consultation on draft Environmental Information Regulations. Officials are now analysing the comments received. Before preparing a Statutory Instrument of the Regulations to place before Parliament we will also need to take into account developments in Brussels on the negotiations for a Draft Directive on Public Access to Environmental Information. The Regulations will not come into force until 2003 at the earliest.
	In answer to the specific questions, I can confirm that (a) I am the lead Minister and (b) the lead policy Division is Defra Sustainable Development Unit who can be contacted via the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/pubaccess/index.htm

Bear Bile

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to discourage the international trade in bear bile.

Elliot Morley: The CITES Convention imposes strict controls on trade in bears and bear parts but does allow trade in captive bred species. Because of our concerns that this trade could lead to abuses in respect of bear bile, from last year, the UK banned all commercial trade in bear (Ursidae) bile or gall bladders (irrespective of whether or not they come from captive bred specimens), on the grounds that this trade is likely to be detrimental to the species.

Exotic Birds

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of exotic birds imported into the UK for the last year for which figures are available were dead on arrival.

Elliot Morley: Records of imported CITES listed birds found dead on arrival are taken from copies of used import permits submitted to the UK CITES Management Authority by HM Customs & Excise. Our records show that during 2001 (the last full year for which records are available) a total of 62 birds (0.92 per cent.) were noted as dead on arrival.

Exotic Birds

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many exotic birds were imported into the UK in the past 12 months; for what purposes they were imported; and from which countries they were imported.

Elliot Morley: Our records show that from November 2001 to November 2002 a total of 10983 birds listed under the CITES Convention were imported into the UK from 37 different countries for the following purposes:
	Breeding: 167
	Educational: 18
	Personal: 84
	Circus & travelling exhibition: 1
	Scientific: 47
	Commercial: 10662
	Zoos: 4
	The exporting countries were:
	Alderney, Austria, Bahrain, Cameroon, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guernsey, Guinea, Guyana, Iceland, Isle of Man, Ivory Coast, Jersey, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Suriname, Switzerland, Tanzania, UAE, US and Zimbabwe.

Exotic Birds

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many exotic birds were imported into the UK for each year from 1997 to date, broken down into (a) wild-caught and (b) captive-bred.

Elliot Morley: There is no CITES definition of the term ''exotic bird'' but imports of CITES listed birds from outside the EU are controlled under EC CITES Regulations. Our records show that between 1 January 1997 and 31 October 2002 a total of 32346 wild taken and 4901 captive bred CITES listed birds were imported into the UK. The year by year breakdown is:
	
		
			 Year Wild taken Captive bred Total 
		
		
			 1997 4800 357 5157 
			 1998 4845 422 5267 
			 1999 4826 411 5237 
			 2000 3995 1551 5546 
			 2001 5565 1114 6679 
			 2002 8315 1046 9361

Imported Birds

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the controls relating to the sale of imported birds in pet shops.

Elliot Morley: Any bird which is listed on Annex A of the EU regulations relating to the Control of International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (The CITES regulations) would require a permit for sale from Defra. This would apply whether or not the bird was imported or captive bred within the EU.
	The Pet Animals Act 1951 (as amended in 1983) controls the sale of all animals as pets from licensed premises. The 1951 Act requires any person selling pet animals to be licensed by the local authority. Before granting a licence, the authority must satisfy itself that the animals are kept in accommodation that is suitable and clean; that they are supplied with the appropriate food and drink, and are protected from disease and fire. The maximum penalty under the 1951 Act is a fine of #500 and/or three months imprisonment.
	The Pet Animals Act 1951 is one of 21 Acts relating to the welfare of domestic and captive animals that are currently reviewing with a view to consolidation and modernisation as part of the proposed Animal Welfare Bill.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to publish her Department's review of local authority energy efficiency activity.

Elliot Morley: Our original intention was to publish the results of this review earlier this year. However, with the publication of the Performance and Innovation Unit's Energy Review in February and the Home Energy Conservation Bill that dealt with many of the key issues for the review, we decided to delay publication until we were able to take account of these.
	The Government are now working on its Energy White Paper. This will be a statement of Government energy policy, including energy efficiency. We have decided that the review findings should contribute to the White Paper, which will be published around the turn of the year.

Energy Efficiency

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the outcomes to date of the Energy Efficiency Commitment Scheme; what further steps are planned; and what (a) consultation on and (b) assessment of the scheme (i) has taken place and (ii) is planned.

Elliot Morley: The Regulator, Ofgem, is responsible for operating the Energy Efficiency Commitment 2002–2005 (EEC) and for providing information to the Secretary of State on progress. Suppliers have been submitting energy efficiency schemes to Ofgem since February 2002 and measures equating to 5.9 TWh in energy savings had been installed or delivered by the end of September. Suppliers will continue to work on these and further schemes to deliver their energy efficiency targets by March 2005.
	We consulted widely on the EEC, culminating in the issue of statutory consultation proposals in August 2001. We will consult on any changes to the scheme that may be proposed.
	Each supplier is required to report to Ofgem on a quarterly basis and Ofgem must report annually to the Secretary of State on progress with the EEC. Ofgem's first report, on the year ending in March 2003, must be submitted to the Secretary of State by 31 July 2003.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to ensure that (a) registered social landlords, (b) utility companies and (c) Government-run energy efficiency or fuel poverty schemes provide information to energy conservation authorities on the energy efficiency improvements carried out in their area; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The Government fully support the need for energy conservation authorities to be given information on the improvements made in domestic energy efficiency in their area by other agencies, to assist their reporting under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.
	During the Home Energy Conservation Bill 2001, the Government proposed that registered social landlords should provide information to energy conservation authorities on energy efficiency improvements they had carried out. This proposal came to nothing when my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton Kemptown withdrew this Bill. However, registered social landlords are already required by the Housing Corporation to report on progress against the Decent Homes target, which includes energy efficiency, on a voluntary basis for 2002. The provision of this information will be compulsory from 2003.
	Discussions are continuing between gas and electricity suppliers and the Energy Saving Trust to provide this information on a voluntary basis. We hope that these will lead to a voluntary agreement but this is a difficult area, raising complex legal issues. Should no agreement be reached, we will consider using existing legislation to make this a requirement on these companies. But this would not be our preferred route.
	The private sector companies managing the Government's energy efficiency scheme are already contractually required to provide this information to authorities on an annual basis.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities are on course to meet the targets contained in their strategies under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995; what measures she proposes to ensure that these targets are met; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: Energy conservation authorities have identified their own targets, based on the measures in their energy conservation reports. The reports show measures that, if implemented, have the potential to achieve an overall improvement of 30 per cent. over twelve years from 1996. These targets are not statutory and it is for authorities, working in partnership with others, to implement the measures in order to meet them.
	Authorities report progress towards their targets each year. A list of the latest progress by authorities was placed in the Libraries of the House following my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) on 19 June 2002, Official Report, column 371W.
	The overall average reported improvement in the first five years was 8 per cent. It is therefore clear that authorities are not going to make the improvements they originally hoped for. Decisions about the future role of local authorities in local energy efficiency are expected to be covered in the Energy White Paper, which the Government aims to publish early in the new year.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets are in force to reduce the consumption of energy within buildings occupied by central Government; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The Government plan to use benchmarking of individual buildings against national standards in order to set a new energy consumption target for 2010. This target will require the central Government estate to be performing better than the national average. The analysis required to set a specific target is still underway but it is hoped that it will be in place in the coming year. In the meantime, the estate has an interim target of reducing carbon emissions by an additional 1 per cent. each year relative to 1999–2000.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the local authorities she has contacted regarding underperformance on their targets under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995, and indicate how these authorities were identified.

Elliot Morley: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not contacted any local authorities regarding underperformance against their targets under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to require local authorities to appoint an officer to work on strategies they have drawn up under the Home Conservation Act 1995: and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Government have no plans to require this. It is for local authorities to determine their staffing structure to meet their statutory responsibilities and other priorities.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department has received concerning the need for statutory targets for local government to be applied to energy conservation in the home.

Michael Meacher: The Local Government Association has expressed concern about applying statutory domestic energy efficiency targets to local authorities.
	As well as a large amount of correspondence from individuals, we have received the following representations from organisations in support of having statutory targets in the Home Energy Conservation Bill 2001.
	Association for the Conservation of Energy
	British Energy Efficiency Federation
	Blaby Constituency Labour Party
	Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency
	Daventry District Council
	Derbyshire County Council
	The Green Party
	Friends of the Earth
	HECA Partnership for 30 per cent.
	Herefordshire Green Party
	Hyndburn Borough Council
	National Energy Services
	Northamptonshire County Council
	Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
	Oldham Council
	Oxfordshire County Council
	Preston Borough Council
	Assoc. for Environment Conscious Building
	Council for Energy Efficient Development
	District of Bolsover Labour Group
	Draft Proofing Advisory Association
	Insulated Render and Cladding Association
	Kingspan Insulation
	National Association of Loft Insulation
	Contractors
	National Cavity Insulation Assoc.
	Oxfordshire County council
	Redditch Green Party
	Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
	Salford Community Health Council
	Socialist Environment and Resources
	Association
	UK Mineral Wool Association
	Vent Axia Ltd
	Wandsworth Green Party

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will make her next report to Parliament under sections 3(4) of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.

Elliot Morley: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no immediate plans to make such a report to Parliament.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what representations her Department has received concerning the progress of energy conservation authorities towards meeting the 30 per cent. target in improvement in energy conservation by 2010;
	(2)  what representations she has received from (a) local authorities and (b) others on the ability of local authorities to meet their targets under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.

Michael Meacher: There are no statutory requirements for energy conservation authorities to make a 30 per cent. improvement in domestic energy conservation by 2010. However, authorities have prepared reports which show measures that, if implemented, have the potential to achieve an overall improvement of 30 per cent. over twelve years from 1996.
	We have not received any representations regarding authorities' progress towards meeting these targets, other than the reports that energy conservation authorities submit each year under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995. A summary of these reports is in the House Library.
	During the course of the Home Energy Conservation Bill 2001, we received representations from Chichester District Council and the Local Government Association expressing the view that local authorities could not guarantee they would achieve their energy efficiency targets in the domestic housing sector as they had limited powers to ensure savings were made. We also received a number letters from individuals suggesting that making targets statutory would enhance local authorities' ability to achieve their HECA targets.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the home energy conser- vation programmes which have (a) been delayed and (b) failed since 1997.

Elliot Morley: There have been a large number of home energy conservation projects since 1997, the large majority of which are outside the Government's direct control. These include projects by local authorities, gas and electricity suppliers, the Energy Saving Trust and voluntary organisations.
	The Government's main programme in England for tackling fuel poverty through improving energy efficiency is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, now marketed as the Warm Front Team. The scheme is funded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Warm Front was launched in June 2000 and provides packages of insulation and heating measures up to #2,500 to private sector households, on certain benefits.
	For the period June 2000 to June 2002, Warm Front assisted over 400,000 households and spent over #200 million on installing measures. The programme remains on target to reach our PSA requirement of assisting 600,000 vulnerable homes by 2004.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to ensure that the performance figures collected to show local authorities' progress on strategies drawn up under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 can be compared between authorities.

Elliot Morley: It would be helpful to be able to make better comparisons between comparable authorities' performance. But this could only be achieved by having a single monitoring method. Defra has provided software to all authorities in England, free of charge, to help them monitor improvements in domestic energy efficiency. This is just one of a number of energy efficiency monitoring tools available. We believe that authorities should have the choice of which software package or monitoring method they use. They do, however, have to provide evidence as part of their annual progress reporting that they are using a robust monitoring method.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to meet the target of reducing energy used in the domestic sector by 12.5 per cent. by 2010; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Decisions about targets and policies for reducing energy use in the domestic sector will be covered in the Energy White Paper, which the Government aim to publish around the turn of the year.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to strengthen the powers, duties and funding of local authorities to enable them to play an enhanced role in local energy efficiency activities.

Elliot Morley: Decisions about the future role of local authorities in local energy efficiency are expected to be covered in the Energy White Paper, which the Government aim to publish around the turn of the year.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what representations her Department received from (a) the Treasury and (b) other Government Departments (i) prior to and (ii) following the withdrawal of the Home Energy Conservation Bill;
	(2)  what representations her Department received from the Treasury concerning the saving to that Department as a result of the withdrawal of the Home Energy Conservation Bill;
	(3)  what representations her Department has received from the Treasury prior to the withdrawal of the Home Energy Conservation Bill concerning the cost of a statutory target of 30 per cent. in domestic energy improvement by 2010.

Elliot Morley: Other Government Departments have been consulted at each stage of the Home Energy Conservation Bill's progress. We have discussed the implications, including those for Government and local authorities, of having a 30 per cent. improvement in domestic energy efficiency as a principal aim in this Bill.
	However, it is established practice under exemption two of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to internal opinion and advice or confidential communications between departments.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department received from (a) pensioner groups (b) Greenpeace, (c) the Association for the Conservation of Energy, (d) Friends of the Earth, (e) Help the Aged and (f) Age Concern, (i) prior to and (ii) following the withdrawal of the Home Energy Conservation Bill.

Michael Meacher: The Department has received the following representations regarding the Home Energy Conservation Bill, prior to and following it's withdrawal;
	(a) (i) North West Pensioners Association, Warrington Branch have expressed support for the Bill.
	(ii) None.
	(b) No representations have been received from Greenpeace
	(c) (i) The Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE) have expressed their opposition to the Government's amendments at Committee Stage of the Bill.
	(ii) ACE have written to say that the Department's failure to endorse targets in the Bill has sent worrying signals regarding long term commitments in their industry.
	(d) (i) Friends of the Earth have expressed support for the Bill and amendment 11a in particular as well as opposing the Government amendments at Committee Stage,
	(ii) None
	(e) No representations have been received from Help the Aged
	(f) No representations have been received from Age Concern.
	The Department has also received representations from the HECA Partnership for 30 per cent. (which includes ACE, Friends of the Earth and Help the Aged) expressing opposition to Government amendments at committee stage, urging Ministers to support the Bill, supporting statutory targets in the Bill, discussing the costs of implementing targets and appointing designated HECA officers.
	We have also received the minutes of their steering group meeting on October 15, 2001, which record unanimous support for the Bill.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the adequacy of local authorities' progress towards meeting their targets under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will list the energy conservation authorities that are on target to meet the requirements of a 30 per cent. improvement in energy conservation by 2010.

Elliot Morley: There are no statutory requirements for energy conservation authorities to make a 30 per cent. improvement in domestic energy conservation. However, authorities have prepared reports which show measures that, if implemented, have the potential to achieve an overall improvement of 30 per cent. over twelve years from 1996.
	Authorities report progress towards their targets each year. A list of the latest progress by authorities was placed in the Libraries of the House following my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Mr. Coaker) on 19 June 2002, Official Report, column 370–371W.
	The overall average reported improvement in the first five years was 8 per cent. It is therefore clear that authorities are not going to make the improvements they originally hoped for.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the saving in carbon dioxide emissions would be if energy efficency in the domestic sector was improved by (a) five per cent., (b) 10 per cent., (c) 15 per cent., (d) 20 per cent., (e) 25 per cent. and (f) 30 per cent. by 2010 based upon current levels.

Michael Meacher: The estimated reduction in carbon dioxide emissions that would result from the various improvements in domestic energy efficiency by 2010 are set out below.
	
		
			 Energy Efficiency Improvement Relative To 2000 Level Projected CO 2  Emissions Reduction In 2010 (Million Tonnes Of Carbon Per Year) 
		
		
			 5% -1.8 
			 10% 0.4 
			 15% 2.5 
			 20% 4.7 
			 25% 6.9 
			 30% 9.1 
		
	
	Note
	Estimates based on demand growth scenario compatible with DTI Energy Paper 68 projections of energy demand and carbon dioxide emissions, and using underlying rate of improvement in energy efficiency derived from BRE analysis of insulation ownership, and trends in heating efficiency.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the robustness of the targets under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995; what plans she has to strengthen them; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: Energy conservation authorities were required to submit their energy conservation reports to the Secretary of State by 30 November 1996. All reports received were evaluated against the requirements of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 and each authority given feedback. It was for authorities to determine their own targets, based on local circumstances. The Secretary of State was not in a position to assess whether these targets were realistic.
	If the Home Energy Conservation Bill 2001 had become law, then the Secretary of State would have had a new power to set statutory targets for authorities. We understand that Dr. Turner plans to re-introduce his Bill next session.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department has received from the Association for Public Health (a) prior to and (b) following the withdrawal of the Home Energy Conservation Bill.

Elliot Morley: The Department has not received any representations on the subject of the Home Energy Conservation Bill from the Association for Public Health either prior to or following the withdrawal of that Bill.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representation her Department has received concerning the future of the Home Energy Conservation Bill.

Michael Meacher: We have not received any representations concerning the future of the Home Energy Conservation Bill since that Bill was withdrawn.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the representations submitted to her Department from hon. Members (a) in support of and (b) against statutory targets prior to the withdrawal of the Home Energy Conservation Bill.

Michael Meacher: The Department has received 25 letters from hon. Members expressing their personal support for targets in the Home Energy Conservation Bill. This is in addition to a large number of letters from MPs covering those from constituents who were in favour of targets in the Bill. We have not received any representations from hon. Members expressing the view that the Bill should not contain targets or forwarding letters from constituents with that view.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures are in place to measure progress made in energy conservation in the home since the implementation of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000.

Michael Meacher: The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 requires energy conservation authorities to prepare reports setting out progress with implementing their energy conservation reports. In 1999–00, authorities were asked, as part of the HECA progress report, whether they had prepared a fuel poverty report. Each year since then, they have been asked to report on progress with its implementation.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department has received concerning the re-introduction of a Bill aimed at improving domestic energy efficiency.

Michael Meacher: Blaby Labour Party has expressed support for the idea of future home energy efficiency legislation. Defra also received a number of letters from individuals which broadly express support for future legislation in this area.

Energy Efficiency

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the rules for assessing energy savings of appliances under the Energy Efficiency Commitment Scheme.

Elliot Morley: The Regulator, Ofgem, is responsible for administering the Energy Efficiency Commitment 2002–2005, including determining what improvement in energy efficiency should be attributed to energy efficiency measures proposed by electricity and gas suppliers. Its procedures for doing so are set our in its ''Energy Efficiency Commitment Administration Procedures'' published in December 2001 and available at www.ofgem.gov.uk.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department has received from the Centre for Policy on Ageing (a) prior to and (b) following the withdrawal of the Home Energy Conservation Bill.

Elliot Morley: The Department has not received any representations on the subject of the Home Energy Conservation Bill from the Centre for Policy on Ageing either prior to or following the withdrawal of that Bill.

UNEP Report

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has received a copy of UNEP's Report, Global Environment Outlook 3, and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: My Friend, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave a keynote speech at the global launch of the third UNEP Global Environment Outlook (GEO3) Report in London on 22 May. The Secretary of State, and the Defra officials that attended the launch, were given copies of the Report.
	The GEO3 Report provides an authoritative assessment that informs our thinking on global sustainable development. Although it does not single out individual countries, it makes clear that action is required by all countries to tackle environmental degradation. The UK Government take the problems identified by the report extremely seriously and are taking appropriate action in key areas, including biodiversity, climate change, forests and oceans.
	For information, the Secretary of State's speech can be found at: http://defraweb/corporate/ministers/speeches/mb230502.htm.

Departmental Review

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Prime Minister and (b) Lord Haskins regarding the review of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: Lord Haskins has agreed, at my request, to review delivery arrangements and structures to Defra's countryside responsibilities. Lord Haskins will consult widely with Defra stakeholders and those who deliver rural policy. We expect the review to be completed by the summer of 2003.

GM Crops

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 26 September 20002, Official Report, column 247W, on GM crops, how many tests for unauthorised genetically modified organisms have been undertaken by the GM Inspectorate; and what proportion of them showed a presence of unauthorised genetically modified organisms.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 21 October 2002
	The GM Inspectorate has the authority to carry out testing for the presence of GMOs in two contexts: first, as part of inspection of authorised releases of GMOs into the environment, and, secondly, in support of the audit of seed importers and producers to ensure that non-GM seed stocks are free from unauthorised GM events.
	Testing as part of the inspection of authorised releases of GMOs is carried out whenever there is reason to believe that material in addition to that for which consent is held has been released or to confirm the GM status of volunteer plants and bolters. However, the issue of testing of released GMOs is being considered as part of the proposed review inspection and enforcement activities. Since June 2000, there have been 3 tests (comprised of 41 analytical tests) of seed prior to sowing to confirm its purity and 32 tests of volunteers and bolters. None of these tests showed the presence of unauthorised GMOs.
	Since June 2000 the GM Inspectorate has carried out a total of 86 audits of seed companies. These audits have monitored the precautions that seed companies have taken as regards the adventitious presence of GM events in seeds. As part of this process a series of tests (18) have been carried out to clarify results presented by seed companies. In no case was the presence of an unauthorised GMO detected.

World Summit

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department (a) has taken and (b) is planning to take to consult on the (i) outcomes of the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and (ii) what steps planned by the UK Government to take forward implementation of the outcomes and which individuals or organisations have been or will be consulted as part of the process.

Michael Meacher: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has continued to work closely with a wide range of stakeholder groups and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State and I met with stakeholders in October to discuss the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Officials have subsequently met with stakeholders, in a meeting organised by the BOND Network (British Overseas NGOs for Development).
	Ministers are in the process of considering how to take forward the UK's commitments from WSSD at the local, national and international level, building on existing work. We will be launching a major review of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy in the new year, which will take into account WSSD commitments. Stakeholders will be consulted in this exercise.

World Summit

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps were taken by her Department to promote the use of the precautionary principle in discussions at the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg; and if she will make a statement on the outcomes of these discussions in taking forward its use in documentation and agreements emerging as a result of the Summit.

Michael Meacher: The Plan of Implementation (paragraph 103(f)) reaffirms the importance for policy and decision-making of
	''the precautionary approach set out in principle 15 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development''. It also underlines the importance of principle 15 for the sound management of chemicals and of hazard wastes for the protection of human health and the environment (paragraph 22).
	A copy of the Plan of Implementation will be placed in the House Library and can be found at http://www/johannesburgsummit.org/ , along with a copy of the Political Declaration made at Johannesburg.
	The United Kingdom and the European Union would also have liked the Plan of Implementation to refer explicitly to the development of the precautionary principle in a number of international legal instruments since Rio. The United Kingdom and the European Union will continue to promote the precautionary principle, as set out in the Rio Declaration and subsequently developed in international law, in taking forward the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit and related work on international sustainable development and policies which impact on health and the environment.

SF6

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of banning the use of SF6 in car tyres and double glazing.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 28 October 2002
	At this point in time, the Government have not made an assessment of the impact of banning the use of SF6 in car tyres and insulating glazing in the UK. We expect the European Commission to make a proposal for EU legislation on fluorinated gases in spring 2003. If it transpires that this proposal will include such controls, then we will make an assessment of their impact in the UK.

Correspondence

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Westmoreland and Lonsdale of 18 July, regarding Mr. Clifford Kendal.

Elliot Morley: My Noble Friend Lord Whitty responded to the hon. Member on 22 October.

Correspondence

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Westmoreland and Lonsdale of 17 September, regarding Mr.Trevor Wilson of Cark-in-Cartmel.

Alun Michael: A response was sent to the hon. Member on 2 November.

Foot and Mouth

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government will respond to the foot and mouth inquiries.

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to announce to Parliament her Department's response to the Anderson and Follett Reports.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 28 October 2002
	I expect to publish the Government's response to the reports of the Foot and Mouth Disease inquiries before the House prorogues.

Retail Banks

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she last met the head of agricultural departments of the retail banks and what was discussed; how often she has met the head of the agricultural departments of retail banks in the last 12 months; and how often her predecessor met the head of the agricultural departments of the retail banks.

Margaret Beckett: I met the heads of the agricultural departments of the retail banks in November 2001.

Public Bodies

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her Department's non departmental public bodies; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: I have regular discussions with the heads and officials of Defra's non-departmental public bodies.

European Agriculture

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what meetings she had with her French and German counterparts to discuss European agriculture in the run-up to the EU meeting in Brussels from 24 to 25 October; and what was discussed.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 31 October 2002
	I have regular contact with my French and German counterparts, through monthly Agriculture Councils and other meetings. These meetings address the issues facing European agriculture of most interest to the UK, France and Germany, current at the time of the meeting. I last met Frau Kuenast, the German Agriculture Minister on 24 October and subsequently spoke to her on 31 October. I hope to meet my French colleague in the near future.

Bovine TB

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what timetable her Department has set for the future publication of (a) DEFRA and (b) DEFRA-commissioned research into the epidemiology of bovine TB.

Elliot Morley: Final reports of Defra-commissioned research into the epidemiology of bovine TB are published on the Defra website once individual projects are complete. Some of the current projects are not scheduled to end until 2005.
	In addition the results of the badger culling trial, overseen by the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB, are expected to be available in 2005.

Bovine TB

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to ensure that (a) NGOs and (b) the public may have access to all up to date bovine TB research funded and programmed by her Department.

Elliot Morley: Defra's annual Research Requirements Document includes a complete list of all Defra's current research projects, including those on bovine TB. It is available to all on the Defra website. Annual reports of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB also include summary updates of Defra-funded TB research. These are available on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb
	Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are represented on the TB Forum and are made aware of the content of the TB research programme on a regular basis.
	A review of the research on bovine TB over the last 5 years will take place in early November. Following the review an output document will be made available to members of the TB Forum and will be available to members of the public via the Defra website.

Bovine TB

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her Irish counterpart about measures to control bovine tuberculosis.

Margaret Beckett: In 2001, Defra officials, Defra's independent animal vaccine programme adviser and members of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) visited the Irish Government's veterinary department and met with researchers to discuss TB control and progress on the Four Area Badger Study. Since the meeting a collaborative research project on badger vaccination has been set up by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency and the University of Dublin.

Dairy Farming

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on dairy farming in Lancashire.

Elliot Morley: In Lancashire, in common with the rest of the country, the sustainability of many dairy farming enterprises has been adversely affected by low farmgate milk prices. The reasons for these low prices are complex, but include high levels of production earlier in the year combined with the effects of low world prices for dairy commodities. The average farmgate price of milk has recovered from its seasonal low in May, but it is still too low for many dairy farmers to be able to maintain the level of investment required to sustain their businesses.
	The prices negotiated between farmers and purchasers, or indeed processors and retailers, are private commercial matters in which the Government cannot get involved. Nevertheless, I do welcome the recent price rises announced by major retailers and dairy processors and hope that these will help alleviate some of the difficulties faced by dairy farmers. The Government can influence the environment in which price negotiations take place through the mechanisms of the dairy CAP and, during the period of lowest prices, we actively supported measures taken in Brussels to support Community markets and encourage exports.

Water Framework Directive

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the basis is of her policy on not participating in river basin pilot studies proposed under the implementation strategy of the Water Framework Directive.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 29 October 2002
	The Department, the devolved administrations and the UK Environment Agencies have been, and continue to participate very actively in the development of the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) of the Water Framework Directive.
	This involvement has included leading or co-leading on development of guidance on estuarial and coastal waters, heavily modified water bodies and impact of human activity on surface and groundwater. In addition the UK has participated in all the working groups of the CIS, including the working group on integrated testing in pilot river basins. The UK is also actively involved with current discussions at Community level on the future development of the CIS and aims to play a full part in future work.
	Defra and the Environment Agency have not so far proposed any pilot river basin projects for England as part of the CIS. The Environment Agency intends to focus it's efforts on the actual implementation of the Water Framework Directive to ensure initial legal obligations are complied with relating to all river basins. Pilot studies are being undertaken or planned, including in England, to answer specific issues. The experience gained will be fed back to the integrated testing project.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what strategies her Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Alun Michael: The Department has integrated age into its equal opportunities policies.
	In addition, from 1 January 2003 subject to continued organisational need and their continued efficiency staff in Defra will have the opportunity to stay in service beyond age 60 and up to age 65. We are looking to mirror that change in our recruitment procedures.

Municipal Waste

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the percentage of municipal waste that will be recovered in (a) 2005, (b) 2010 and (c) 2015.

Margaret Beckett: Waste Strategy 2000 sets targets for the recovery of municipal waste of at least 40 per cent. by 2005, 45 per cent. by 2010 and 67 per cent. by 2015. The last Municipal Waste Management Survey shows that in the year 2000–2001, 21 per cent. of municipal waste in England had value recovered from it. Of this, 12 per cent. is recycling and composting, and 9 per cent. energy recovery through incineration.
	Local authorities in England already have best value targets for recovery, and statutory targets for recycling and composting; as well as additional funding under the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services block, which includes waste management. Defra's #140 million waste minimisation, recycling and composting fund will also boost local authority performance.
	As part of their review of the waste strategy, the Strategy Unit have been considering what additional measures may be needed to achieve these targets. They are expected to publish their report in November.

Mobile Plant Licences

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many mobile plant licences have been issued by the Environment Agency; and how many applications for such licenses are pending;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the average cost to a business of (a) obtaining and (b) maintaining a mobile plant licence for land remediation;
	(3)  what the average time taken to process an application for a mobile plant licence for land remediation is.

Michael Meacher: As at September 2002, the Environment Agency had issued 85 mobile plant licences. There are 11 applications pending.
	The costs of obtaining a mobile plant licence vary depending on the type of mobile plant licence and the information required. The costs of obtaining the licence can be in the region of #15,000 per licence. These costs include the costs of obtaining the required certificate of technical competence, the administrative costs involved in putting together the required information for the application, and a charge of #1,775 made by the Environment Agency as an application charge for an intermediate capacity mobile plant licence.
	Maintenance of the licence can cost in the region of #13,000 per annum. These costs include the Environment Agency's annual subsistence charge of #3,200, and the preparation of risk assessments and working plans for the sites where the mobile plant operates.
	The average time taken to process mobile plant applications is 7 months.

Suckler Cow Premium

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of 2001 suckler cow premium payments were outstanding (a) nationally and (b) in each region on (i) 31 August and (ii) 30 September; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: (a) (i) proportion of 2001 Suckler Cow Premium payments outstanding nationally at 31 August was 34.11 per cent.
	(b) (i) proportion of 2001 Suckler Cow Premium payments outstanding in each region at 31 August was (see table below.)
	
		
			 Region % Of Claims Outstanding At 31 August % Of Claims Outstanding At 30 September 
		
		
			 Bristol 61.79 40.93 
			 Cambridge 37.49 27.35 
			 Carlisle 36.87 20.72 
			 Crewe 12.81 3.83 
			 Exeter 58.45 36.12 
			 Northallerton 18.98 5.32 
			 Nottingham 26.00 18.97 
			 Reading 29.35 13.24 
			 Worcester 20.07 6.35 
		
	
	(a) (ii) proportion of 2001 Suckler Cow Premium payments outstanding nationally at 30 September was 19.20 per cent.
	(b) (ii) proportion of 2001 Suckler Cow Premium payments outstanding in each region at 30 September (see table above.)
	Member States are required under European legislation to cross-check all animals subject to bovine subsidy against their cattle tracing databases. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has accordingly cross-checked claimed animals against the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS Cattle Tracing System (CTS)). All cross checks have been completed and RPA has discovered a large number of discrepancies. Many of these arise because of the failure by cattle keepers to notify the CTS when animals are born, die or are moved. This has resulted in RPA being unable to meet the statutory payment deadlines in all cases on bovine schemes, although it is making every effort to ensure all outstanding payments are made as soon as possible. The RPA regrets the delays and the impact on farmer's cash flow, but cannot ignore the discrepancies discovered.

Suckler Cow Premium

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total value was of 2001 Suckler Cow Premiums outstanding at (a) 31 August and (b) 30 September.

Margaret Beckett: (a) total value of 2001 suckler cow premium 2001 outstanding at 31 August was #5,476,365 compared to payments of #72,834,635.
	(b) total value of 2001 suckler cow premium 2001 outstanding at 30 September was #3,290,897 compared to #75,020,103.

Beef Special Premium

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total monetary value is of the claims under (a) the beef special premium scheme 2001 and (b) the suckler cow premium scheme 2001 that have been refused by the Rural Payments Agency.

Margaret Beckett: (a) estimated total monetary value of claims under the beef special premium scheme 2001 that has been refused by the Rural Payments Agency is #2,020,916 compared to total value of payments due of #107,891,000.
	(b) estimated total monetary value of claims under the suckler cow premium scheme 2001 that has been refused by the Rural Payments Agency is #2,232,001 compared to total value of payments due of #78,311,000.
	When applicants disagree with the refusal decision it is open to them to provide the RPA with additional information, which they feel, should be taken into account.

Food Waste

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the volume of food waste previously sold to swill feeders which goes to landfill.

Margaret Beckett: The Animal By-products Order 1999 was amended on 24 May 2001 to introduce a ban on the use of catering waste in swill feeding. It is estimated that approximately 80,000 tonnes per annum of catering waste was being sold to swill feeders at the time the ban came into effect. Following a risk assessment, my Department hopes to consult shortly on amendments to the Order which would allow catering waste to be composted and used on land as a soil conditioner rather than going to landfill.

Food Waste

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what her policy is on the development of alternatives to landfill for the disposal of catering food waste;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the risks to (a) human and (b) animal health of disposing untreated catering food waste in landfill.

Margaret Beckett: In June, my Department issued the results of a risk assessment on the use of composting to dispose of catering waste and animal by-products. The objective of this study was to determine the risks to public and animal health from the land-spreading of the catering wastes after treatment by composting or in a biogas plant and to compare these with the risks from existing disposal routes.
	In summary, the project determined whether current composting processes give a sufficient degree of pathogen destruction such that the risks to humans and animals are acceptably low and the material may be safely spread to land. The composting route for catering waste potentially presents lower risks to grazing animals than disposal through land-fill. This is because composting offers extra control points. First, the raw catering waste could be delivered to enclosed receptions where birds and animals cannot gain access. Second, a no-grazing period could be enforced after application of the compost to land. Following the risk assessment, we hope to consult shortly on amendments to the Animal By-Products Order which would allow catering waste to be composted and used on land as a soil conditioner rather than going to landfill.

Waste

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects waste acceptance criteria to be (a) discussed and (b) agreed by the EU Council of Ministers.

Margaret Beckett: The Danish Presidency is expected to put this issue on the agenda for the Environment Council meeting on 9–10 December. If agreement is not reached at that meeting, the issue will revert to the Commission for a decision.

TSE Tests

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason the United Kingdom has not submitted to the European Commission its programme for TSE tests; and when she intends to submit it.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 31 October 2002
	The TSE programme was not submitted as a result of an oversight and a subsequent misunderstanding with the Commission. The programme was submitted on 22 October when we asked the Commission to reconsider making an EU contribution.

Badgers

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her reasons for issuing a licence for the removal and slaughter of badgers at Saltdean, East Sussex.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 21 October 2002
	Defra received an application for a licence under Section 10 of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, to prevent badgers causing serious damage to property.
	We investigated the case extremely carefully, and considered the full range of options for addressing the problem. In addition to this, we sought to involve groups associated with animal welfare issues, even though the Act does not oblige us to do so.
	The decision to grant a licence for the humane dispatch of the badgers was taken with great reluctance, only after it appeared that all other avenues had been exhausted and in the exceptional circumstances of this case. In dealing with any licence applications we always seek to avoid the need to harm badgers. This was an extreme case where no other option had been identified.
	On October 14 trapping work was suspended to allow local interest groups and residents to have a further opportunity to come to a suitable arrangement.

Badgers

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the Four Area Badger Study carried out by the Republic of Ireland.

Margaret Beckett: The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) is monitoring the Four Area Badger Study. Members of the ISG, Defra officials and Defra's independent animal vaccine programme adviser visited some of the Four Area Badger Study sites during their visit to Ireland in 2001.

Badgers

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the East Offaly Badger Removal Project.

Margaret Beckett: The East Offaly badger removal project was assessed in the ''Krebs'' Report on Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle and Badgers, published in 1997. Based on many of the recommendations in the Krebs report, the Government have put in place a wide-ranging research programme into cattle TB. The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG), has advised on this research programme and in so doing considered previous badger removal operations including the East Offaly project.

Illegal Meat Imports

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to receive the report of the Risk Assessment Group which she established to study illegal meat imports.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 28 October 2002
	The risk assessment is being carried out by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA). The work commenced in March 2002 and we expect the report to be published later this year.
	Preliminary results are currently being subjected to peer review and quality assurance procedures. The full results and final report will be published when this process is complete.

Countryside Agency

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to amend the financial provision for the Countryside Agency.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The budget for the Countryside Agency is agreed as part of the corporate planning process, which is currently underway.

Bio-fuels

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the consequences for the Government's policy on bio-fuels of the collapse of ARBRE Energy.

Margaret Beckett: The Government take the future of energy from biomass very seriously and considers that energy crops have the potential to make a significant contribution to renewable energy and climate change targets. We are providing support to develop the sector through the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme and the Energy Crops Scheme. The funding available from the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme could deliver about 100MW of generating capacity. Discussions are continuing on the future of ARBRE and there are a number of lessons from the project that can be applied to future high efficiency biomass plants. The project has shown that short rotation coppice can be established and grown at the scale required to form an important element of the fuel supply. Useful information has been learned on improving yields, the use of varieties to minimise pest and disease impact and on harvesting technology.

Bio-fuels

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about increasing the tax incentives offered to producers of bio-fuels; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 4 November 2002
	I am in regular contact with Treasury Ministers to discuss a whole range of matters related to energy and environmental policy. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets regularly with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a wide range of matters that affect the business of the Department. As with all tax matters, decisions on tax incentives rest with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

ARBRE Energy

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money is owed to her Department by ARBRE Energy.

Margaret Beckett: No money is owed to my Department by ARBRE Energy.

ARBRE Energy

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of (a) the number of farmers who were assigned grants made by her Department to ARBRE Energy in respect of the Eggborough Power Station and (b) the impact on those farm businesses of moves by her Department to recover grants paid.

Margaret Beckett: Under the Energy Crops Scheme and the Woodland Grant Scheme planting grants are payable to growers. In the case of crops to provide fuel for the ARBRE power station growers assigned the payments to ARBRE Energy and this Department and the Forestry Commission were asked to make the payments to the third party. 12 growers qualified for grants to plant crops to provide fuel for ARBRE under the Energy Crops Scheme. A further 46 growers qualified for grants under the Woodland Grants Scheme. The Energy Crops Scheme requires that crops are used for the production of energy but it is too early to consider any recovery of grant as discussions are continuing on the future of ARBRE. Should it become necessary the Department will work closely with growers to access one of the alternative energy markets.

ARBRE Energy

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money her Department has paid in grants, and under which schemes, to ARBRE Energy in respect of the wood-burning power station at Eggborough, Selby.

Margaret Beckett: Grants to plant crops to provide fuel supply for the ARBRE project have been paid to ARBRE Energy as follows:
	Energy Crops Scheme per cent. #184,580
	Woodland Grant Scheme per cent. #980,994
	Of the #184,580 two payable orders totalling #31,290 have yet to be cashed.
	A further #97,090 remains payable to Arbre Energy under assignments made by growers. Following the liquidation, we were asked to delay these two payments until the growers in question had opportunity to discuss cancellation of the assignments with the liquidator. I hope that this will be resolved shortly.

Fly Tipping

Andrew Love: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what evidence has been collected into the difficulties faced by local authorities in dealing with fly tipping; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what representation he has received to strengthen the legal powers available in local authorities to deal with fly tipping; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	The Local Government Association produced a report which was presented to the fly tipping forum at the beginning of 2002. This paper was based on a survey of local authorities and provided information on levels of fly tipping within each local authority and the enforcement action taken.
	The paper also outlined a number of suggestions for increasing local authorities' powers in relation to waste management and fly tipping. As a result, the Government will be amending shortly the duty of care legislation to allow local authorities to be able to serve notice on businesses which will require them to supply that authority with their waste transfer notes. Waste transfer notes are required to be kept under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

A404

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 644W, on the A404, if she will place in the Library copies of the advice received from lawyers; and if she will make a statement on the footpath Bisham 9.

Alun Michael: We have been continuing correspondence with Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council and the Ramblers Association about the proposed diversion of footpath Bisham No. 9. On the information now before me, I am satisfied that the drafting of the necessary orders are justified. These orders will be published shortly.

Feta Cheese

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will press for a review of the Protected Designation of Origin procedure affecting non-generic products; and if she will make a statement on the recent decision in respect of feta cheese.

Elliot Morley: The UK has consistently opposed the registration of feta cheese as an EU protected food name on the grounds that we believed that the name ''feta'' had become a generic product and so not eligible for protection. However, in the absence of a contrary decision by the Council, feta was registered by the Commission as a protected food name on 15 October. While disappointed with this particular outcome, we are satisfied in general with the protected food name scheme and the procedures for registration of products. The scheme was highlighted by the Curry Commission Report on the Future of Farming Food as being a useful opportunity for UK producers to protect the character of their product and secure a premium price for it.

Agri-environment Schemes

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in terms of how much paperwork is involved in the agri-scheme; how easy it will be to access, what account the scheme will take of work already done; how it will be funded; and how it will be policed.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 4 November 2002
	Defra is working with stakeholders on a fundamental review of agri-environment schemes. A first round of public consultation was held earlier this year and a second round of consultation will begin shortly. A key objective of the review is to streamline the administration of the schemes, making full use of modern technology.
	One strand of the review is based on the recommendation by the Policy Commission on the Future of Food and Farming that the current schemes should be complemented by a new, simple entry-level scheme, open to as many farms in England as possible. Defra is designing a pilot for such a scheme which will be launched in four areas next year. The scheme would reward positive management of existing features as well as enhancement. Subject to success of the pilot, it is hoped that the new scheme could be rolled out nationally in 2005.
	Like the existing schemes, it would be co-financed from EU and national funds and would include compliance checks on a percentage of applicants in accordance with EU requirements.

Modulation

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with EU farm Ministers about the equalization of farm modulation across the EU; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The government support the European Commission's proposal to introduce compulsory modulation across the European Union, although our support will depend on the detail of its implementation. This issue was discussed at the October 2002 Agriculture Council and I have raised it in various meetings with European Agriculture Ministers and with Commissioner Fischler.

Sellafield

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place full versions of the two DEFRA reports into the economic viability of Sellafield in the Library.

Margaret Beckett: Two reports about the economic case for the Sellafield MOX plant, by PA Consulting and AD Little, were published by Ministers for consultation in 1999 and 2001. The published versions omitted some commercially confidential information.
	In an arbitration under the terms of the OSPAR Convention, which was heard in The Hague from 21 to 25 October, Ireland is seeking full versions of the reports. The Government maintains that it is entitled to withhold commercially confidential information from the published versions of the two reports and that this did not significantly affect the ability of consultees to comment on the economic case for the plant.
	The arbitral tribunal will deliver its award in due course.

GM Crops

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will add the six figure grid references for the 2001–02 National Seed Listing Trials planted under 00/R33/6 to the public register.

Michael Meacher: The full 6 figure grid references for these sites will be available on the public register by the 8 November.

GM Crops

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of the National Seed Listing trials for GM crops planted between Autumn 2001 and Spring 2002 were completed.

Michael Meacher: National List tests and trials for GM crops sown at four sites between Autumn 2001 and Spring 2002 were completed satisfactorily. These are shown in the table:
	
		
			 Type of Test or Trial Location 
		
		
			 Distinctness Uniformity and Stability Sand Hutton, Yorkshire 
			 Value for Cultivation and Use Thorganby, Lincolnshire 
			 Hinton Waldrist, Oxfordshire 
			 Udny, Aberdeenshire

Ministerial Meetings (US)

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what dates Ministers in her Department have held meetings with members and officials of the United States Administration since 8 June 2001; where each meeting was held; which Ministers were involved in each meeting; which United States Administration department attended each meeting; and which members and officials from the United States Administration attended each of these meetings.

Margaret Beckett: Defra Ministers have met the following US Administration members and officials since 8 June 2001:
	Margaret Beckett: Thursday 1 November 2001, London
	Governor Christine Todd-Whitman, Environmental Protection Agency
	Tuesday 4 December 2001, Washington DC
	Ambassador Bob Zoellick, USTR;
	Senator Joseph Lieberman, Senate Environment & Public Works Committee;
	Paula Dobrianski, Under Secretary, State Department;
	Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chair Senate Energy & national Resources Committee;
	Senator James Jeffords, Chair Senate Environment & Public Works Committee;
	Senator Chuck Hagel, Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
	Wednesday 5 December 2001, Washington DC
	Gary Edson, National Economic Council;
	Governor Christine Todd-Whitman, Environmental Protection Agency;
	Ann Veneman, Agriculture Secretary, US Department of Agriculture;
	Senator Tom Harkin, Chair Senate Agriculture Committee;
	Senator Richard Luger, Senate Agriculture Committee;
	Jim Connaughton, Chair White House Council for Environment Quality;
	Andrew Natsios, USAID;
	Thursday 11 April 2002, Washington DC
	Ian Johnson, Environmental & Social Sustainable Development Department;
	Ann Veneman, Agriculture Secretary, US Department of Agriculture;
	Al Larson, Under Secretary for Economic, Business & Agriculture Affairs, US State Department;
	Michael Meacher: Thursday 1 November 2001, London
	Governor Christine Todd-Whitman, Environmental Protection Agency
	Lord Whitty: Wednesday 19 June 2001, London
	Dr. J B Penn, Under Secretary, US Department of Agriculture
	Alun Michael and Elliott Morley have not held any meetings with members or officials of the United States Administration.
	In addition, Defra Ministers engage with US Administration members in numerous international fora.

Export Refunds

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the expenditure within the EU on the subsidising of exports of surplus agricultural production for which figures are available in the last year; and how much of the total comes from (a) EU and (b) national funding.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The European Union spent 3.4 billion euro on export refunds in its 2001 financial year. So far as we are aware, no member state uses national funds for this purpose.

Food Costs

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the additional weekly expenditure for the average family in purchasing food in consequence of the difference between EU and world prices in the most recent annual period for which figures are available.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 4 November 2002
	In 2000 the CAP is estimated to have increased the cost of food for a notional UK family of four by #4–5 per week. Taking account of the additional cost borne by taxpayers the figure rises to #8–9 per week.

Brazilian Mahogany

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action the Government are taking to stop imports of Brazilian mahogany.

Elliot Morley: International trade in Brazilian mahogany is controlled under the terms of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to which the UK is a party. Brazilian big leaf mahogany is listed in Appendix III of the Convention which requires that mahogany exported must have been acquired in accordance with the national laws for the protection of fauna and flora. Where importers of mahogany present an export permit issued by the Management Authority in Brazil confirming that the mahogany has been legally acquired, imports are allowed.
	However, we are concerned about the current position with relation to mahogany imports from Brazil. A proposal is currently under discussion at the Conference of the CITES Parties to list Brazilian big leaf mahogany on Appendix II. The UK along with the rest of the European Union is supporting this proposal which would allow importing states to reach their own scientific judgement as to the sustainability of the trade.

Flood Insurance

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in which areas of the country flood insurance cover is not available; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Association of British Insurers have stated that all properties defended to at least a standard of 1.3 per cent. (1 in 75) annual probability, should be able to obtain cover. Properties currently protected to a lesser extent, but where defences to meet the above standard are planned for the next 5 years, should also be able to get cover. The ABI have assured us that undefended properties or ''exceptional cases'' will be assessed on an individual basis and consideration given as to whether some form of insurance cover can be given. Many of the properties which the ABI estimate will not be able to obtain cover, have never have been able to get flood insurance.
	The decision to move away from the existing agreement means that, in the majority of cases, people can and should shop around for the best deal. However, it must be recognised that insurance companies need to take a commercial decision as to what risk they will cover and on what terms. It is impossible to make a generalisation about areas where flood cover will be unavailable as in a competitive market as what is unacceptable to one company may well be acceptable to another.

Measuring the Quality of Life Report

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government will publish their response to the Environmental Audit Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2001–02, Measuring the Quality of Life: The 2001 Sustainable Development Headline Indicators.

Michael Meacher: I am pleased to announce that I have today, laid in the libraries of both Houses, copies of the Government's response to the Environmental Audit Committee's Fourth Report of the 2001–2002 session, ''Measuring the Quality of Life: The 2001 Sustainable Development Headline Indicators''.
	The Government's response reinforces our commitment to reporting progress towards sustainable development, particularly through a set of headline indicators. In our sustainable development strategy ''A better quality of life'', published in 1999, we envisaged a full review of both the strategy and all the indicators after five years, which we will aim to complete by the end of 2004.

GM Maize

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what opinions the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment has received from the Advisory Committee on Feedingstuffs (ACAF) on the dossier of evidence presented by Aventis in support of its application for marketing consent for T25 GM maize, with particular reference to their opinion on the chicken feeding study; and if she will place a copy of ACAF's opinion in respect of (a) the whole dossier and (b) the chicken feeding study in the Library.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 19 July 2002
	At the request of the department, The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) has, since November 2000, been considering the criticisms of the safety of Aventis' (formerly AgrEvo and now Bayer Cropscience) GM maize, T25, which has been raised at the hearing into the addition of CHARDON LL (a variety of T25) to the national list of seeds. ACRE subsequently requested advice from ACAF on the animal feed aspects of the criticisms.
	AgrEvo applied in 1995 through the French authorities for approval under EU directive 90/220 to place its GM T25 maize on the European market for cultivation and use as animal feed. In June 1995 France circulated the dossier to the other member states with the recommendation that T25 maize be given approval. After due consideration European Union member states approved the marketing of T25 maize in 1998. As part of this process ACRE considered the French opinion and dossier supporting the application and gave its advice to the government in June 1996. This was prior to the formation of ACAF. The chicken feeding study was not part of the original dossier submitted in 1996 and so was not considered by ACRE. A summary of the study was circulated by the French in 1997 as supplementary information on the nutritional qualities of the maize. The French authorities were of the view that the study did not add any significant new information to the dossier. Officials in MAFF considered the study, but as it was a nutritional rather than a safety study, it was not sent to ACRE.
	In reconsidering aspects of the T25 maize dossier ACRE has asked ACAF to look at the available data and advise on the substance of the criticisms raised at the CHARDONLL hearing in relation to animal feed and in particular the mortality rate in the chicken study. The growth rates in the two groups were broadly equivalent, but of the 140 fed T25 maize grain, 10 chicks (7 per cent.) died, whereas only 5 of the 140 (3.5 per cent.) died in the control group. In this type of experiment up to 8 per cent. would be expected to die. So the mortality rate is within the expected range. The question raised in the CHARDONLL is whether this is of concern and worthy of further investigation.
	A copy of the letter of 5 September 2001 from ACAF to ACRE setting out the committee's views on the whole dossier and the chicken feeding study has been placed in the Library. A copy is also on the public register held by my Department in Ashdown House
	In summary, ACAF is satisfied that, on the basis of the information presented by AgroEvo, there is nothing to indicate that T25 maize grain or its products pose any more risk to animals or humans than non-GM maize varieties if used in animal feed. I have asked ACAF for their reasons for this conclusion. However, ACAF advised ACRE that the data in the dossier are not sufficient to conclude at this stage, that T25 silage (rather than grain) is substantially equivalent to other maize varieties. Although it is unlikely that T25 maize silage is unsafe to feed to animals, its equivalence should be confirmed. The UK regulatory authority has subsequently written to Aventis to request further data on the composition of T25 silage.
	ACRE has given preliminary advice that nothing has been raised that warrants taking immediate action under the directive to withdraw T25 maize from the market. ACRE will shortly be issuing its advice on concerns raised during the CHARDON LL hearing, including criticisms of the chicken feeding study. This advice will also include ACRE's response to points raised at its T25 maize open hearing held in February 2002. At their hearing the Committee, in conjunction with ACAF, invited a number of witnesses and experts including Dr. Kestin and Dr. Knowles. Guided by the evidence taken at this meeting, any subsequent comments on the evidence from the public and the background information that is already available, ACRE will advise Ministers further on the validity of the T25 risk assessment.

GM Maize

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) shelters, (b) bedsits and (c) houses in multiple occupation were registered as unfit for habitation in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is not held centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

GM Maize

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received concerning the adequacy of (a) safety standards, (b) energy efficiency standards and (c) furnishing and fixture standard regulations applied to homes of multiple occupancy; and if she will make a statement

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister receives regular correspondence from Members of Parliament, the public, local authorities, landlords, tenants, professional and other interested bodies about the adequacy of the current standards applying to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), including those relating to safety standards, energy efficiency standards and furnishings and fixtures. The Government is committed to raising standards in such properties, which is why we will introduce legislation, as soon as parliamentary time permits, to require local authorities to licence HMOs which pose the greatest risk to the health and safety of their occupiers in their areas.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL

Devolution Cases

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Advocate General, how many devolution cases have proceeded up to the Privy Council; and in what percentage of those she has intervened.

Lynda Clark: holding answer 28 October 2002
	Eleven cases have proceeded to the Privy Council and I have intervened in seven.

Devolution Cases

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Advocate General, what is the total sum of court expenses incurred as result of her intervention in devolution cases since the inception of her Office.

Lynda Clark: holding answer 28 October 2002
	The question of expenses in a court action is a matter for the discretion of the court and any expenses awarded to or against a party may be referred to the auditor of court. Since the inception of my Office, no expenses have been awarded to or against the Advocate-General in devolution cases in which I have intervened.

Budgetary Provision

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Advocate General, what the (a) total cost and (b) budget provision for her Office has been each year since its inception.

Lynda Clark: holding answer 28 October 2002
	I refer to the answer I previously gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) for the period from the inception of my Office until 2000–01, in Official Report, 25 January 2002, column 1127W The figure for 2001–02, in respect of identifiable costs of staff and related administration for my Office, was #1,431,426. Approximately half of the costs of the Office relates to work on litigation and advisory work, including the preparation of Bills, carried out by lawyers from the Office of the Solicitor to the Advocate-General on behalf of Government Departments other than the Advocate-General. These costs were met from within the overall budget of the Scotland Office.

Budgetary Provision

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Advocate-General, how many devolution cases have been intimated to her since the inception of her Office.

Lynda Clark: holding answer 28 October 2002
	Devolution issues are intimated to me in accordance with the Scotland Act 1998 as devolution minutes. There may be more than one minute intimated in the course of a case. As at 6 November 2002, approximately 1746 minutes were intimated to me in connection with a total of 1575 cases.

Budgetary Provision

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Advocate General, in how many devolution cases she has intervened since the inception of her Office.

Lynda Clark: holding answer 28 October 2002
	I have intervened in 24 cases since the creation of my office in May 1999.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Websites

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if she will list the website links associated with her Department, including sites now dormant or closed, and indicating whether they are live, dormant or closed; what the start-up costs were for each site listed; what the operating costs were in each year since start up for each site; which company hosted each site; what assessment takes place for each site; which company does the assessment; if she will place the assessment reports in the Library; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Liddell: The Scotland Office website is www.scottishsecretary.gov.uk and was set up by departmental staff. Identifiable costs for the Scotland Office were #2,700. Operating costs for the site are currently estimated at #2,000 per year. The site is hosted by Scotland On-Line.
	My department is also responsible for the Friends of Scotland website (www.friendsofscotland.gov.uk), which was established on 23 July 2002. Start-up costs were #62,623. Details of annual operating costs are not yet available but maintenance and development costs to date are #4,711. The site is hosted by Ed Net.
	Both of these sites are live. My department also set up an initial Friends of Scotland website (www.friendsofscotland.org.uk) earlier this year. This site was set up within the department and the start-up and operating costs were minimal. The site was hosted by Scotland On-Line and is now closed.
	No external companies have been commissioned to provide an assessment of the department's websites. The content and use of the sites is kept under review within the department.

Friends of Scotland

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if she will list the members of the Friends of Scotland initiative, broken down by their country of residence.

Helen Liddell: I refer the hon. Member to my answers of 29 October. Up to 6 November 2002, the Scotland Office had recruited a total of 142 Friends of Scotland (this figure is updated on a monthly basis).
	The names of individual Friends cannot be disclosed without their permission.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Electricity

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions she has had with Ofgem about the state of preparedness of (a) electricity generation and (b) electricity distribution companies to cope with emergencies arising from severe weather conditions.

Brian Wilson: The Department is in regular contact with Ofgem regarding aspects of the resilience of the electricity generation, transmission and distribution system. In particular Ofgem participated in the steering group for a study of the emergency preparedness of the transmission and distribution systems which we published in May. Following Sunday's storms I announced that we would be testing the conclusions of this study, which were generally positive, against the actual response in difficult conditions. I have asked for a review of how companies performed and for recommendations to help them ensure that future supplies to consumers are not affected to the same extent. Ofgem will be fully involved in the review.

Council for Science and Technology

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what arrangements have been made for carrying out a quinquennial review of the Council for Science and Technology.

Patricia Hewitt: The quinquennial review of the Council for Science and Technology was launched on 19 August. The Science and Technology Select Committee was informed in advance and sent copies of a consultation letter which was sent out to learned societies and other stakeholders such as Universities UK, the CBI and the Engineering Employers Federation. The consultation letter was also placed on the web (http://www.ost.gov.uk/policy/q—review.htm).
	The first stage of the review, which addressed whether the CST is still needed, has recommended that it should continue in being, but that steps must be taken to make it more effective. The Government have accepted this recommendation. The second stage of the review will look at how the CST might best be used in future.
	The consultation will continue until 17 November.

Petroleum Industry

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what figures she collates on how many UK-based petroleum geologists and geophysicists are working in (a) the UK and (b) abroad.

Brian Wilson: My Department does not collate such figures. However, under a recent Government/industry PILOT initiative, a questionnaire on UK Continental Shelf exploration activity is being circulated to all UKCS exploration managers. Within this, companies are being asked how many geoscientists are currently working for their organisation on the UKCS and how this compares with 3 years ago. The survey will conclude by December 2002, and the results will then be analysed and presented to PILOT in due course.

South East England Development Agency

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the planned expenditure for the South East England Development Agency on (a) corporate entertainment and (b) conferences was during the financial year 2002–03.

Alan Johnson: (a) As part of SEEDA's marketing budget for 2002–03, #12,000 is provided for events hosted by the Chairman and / or the Board and #13,000 for other open consultation and communication events.
	(b) SEEDA itself does not host conferences, but may contribute to cost of holding events which relate to economic development and other related purposes. The budget for SEEDA staff attending conferences and events is #49,000.

Motor Sport

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what progress she has made in promoting energy efficiency of motor vehicles through environmentally friendly motor sport;
	(2)  what action she has taken to encourage development of an environmentally friendly specification or formula for motor sport.

Brian Wilson: I am pleased to say that the Department and four Regional Development Agencies (East Midlands, South East England, East of England, and West Midlands) jointly funded a major industry-led initiative called Energy Efficient MotorSport (EEMS). An EEMS working group was established, consisting of a number of companies and individuals with relevant interest and expertise which resulted in a feasibility study published in August 2002, which was commissioned through the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA).
	The aim of the study was to assess the role that motorsport could play in the promotion and development of energy efficiency automotive technologies. A follow up EEMS presentation was recently made by the MIA to the world governing body of motorsport to explore how the proposals of the study could be demonstrated in a motor racing context. DTI, RDAs and other involved in the EEMS initiative are planning an industry showcase event and other activities to encourage industry to implement its findings.
	In addition, the DTI led Foresight Vehicle programme, the UK's national automotive R & D programme, continue to support collaborative R & D in range of areas including environmental performance (e.g. fuel efficiency, emissions, light weight materials).

Motor Industry (Licensing)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to introduce a system of licensing for (a) independent motor vehicle garages and (b) franchised motor dealers; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: I have no plans at present to introduce a system of licensing for garages or motor dealers. Car buyers have the same rights as all consumers to expect that the goods they buy are of satisfactory quality and as described. With regard to car servicing and repair, my Department is working closely with the industry and other stakeholders to develop an independent national voluntary scheme to enable consumers to identify garages across the sector which are committed to delivering consistent minimum standards of customer service.

Trading Standards

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many successful prosecutions have been made by local authority trading standards departments against licensees or landlords for delivering short measures in each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: As a general rule, local authorities do not currently initiate prosecutions for short measure draught beer unless the deficiency exceeds 10 per cent. The Department is aware of 13 successful prosecutions over the last five tax years:
	
		
			 Year 1997–8 1998–9 1999–2000 2000–1 2001–2 
		
		
			 Prosecutions 9 2 1 1 0

Mining (Compensation)

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when her Department and the Claimant Solicitor's Steering Group expect to agree a dust figure for the occupation of Strata Engineer in respect of relevant mining compensation claims.

Brian Wilson: Dust factors for jobs not explicitly covered in the Claims Handling Agreement (CHA), like that of Strata Engineer, are decided by the Dust Reference Panel, experts who are jointly instructed by the DTI and the Solicitors' Co-ordinating Group (CG).
	The Department's claims handlers, IRISC, have only one claim that is currently outstanding for a Strata Engineer. This case will become the subject of an individual referral to the Dust Reference Panel (DRP).
	The DRP are currently working with the Department and the Solicitors' Co-ordinating Group to produce guidance that will aid the referral of individual cases to the DRP. This will be issued shortly and individual cases can then be referred when the claimants' solicitor and IRISC have assembled the necessary evidence, in accordance with the guidance.

Patents (Biotechnology Inventions)

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of whether the patents system as it applies to biotechnology inventions continues to operate in the public interest; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: It is important to ensure that the patent system in this rapidly developing area continues to operate in the public interest. The Department is commissioning a study on the impact which current patenting practice in the field of genetics has on research and competitiveness in the UK. The Department of Health is conducting a study on Intellectual Property generally and the NHS. In addition, the report published in September of the independent Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, set up by right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development, makes recommendations in this area in terms of the impact on developing countries. The Government are currently considering these recommendations.

Coal Industry

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what proposals her Department has for investment aid for the UK coal industry.

Brian Wilson: We are currently consulting on the case for an investment aid scheme for the UK coal industry. The consultation document is available via the DTI website at http://www2.dti.gov.uk/support/coal/.
	The deadline for comments is 15 November 2002.

Coal Industry

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the criteria are for applying the temporary operating aid scheme for the UK coal industry.

Brian Wilson: The general criteria for the UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme, as approved by the European Commission in November 2000, are available on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/support/coal
	We are also seeking Commission's approval for a targeted extension of the Scheme to the end of this year. The criteria for this extension can be found at http://www2.dti.gov.uk/support/coal/ukcoas ext.pdf

Coal Industry

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to aid the UK coal industry when the temporary operating aid scheme ends.

Brian Wilson: The new European coal State aid regulation which came into force on 24 July 2002 provides us with the flexibility to pay investment aid for pits that have a viable future. This would allow us to pay up to 30 per cent. of the total costs of the relevant investment project. We are currently consulting on the case for introducing a scheme in the UK to make use of this flexibility.

Photovoltaics

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what incentives are available to encourage the installation of photovoltaic cells in (a) domestic and (b) non-domestic premises.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 29 October 2002
	The #20 million First Phase of the Major Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme offers grants of 50 per cent. on small scale domestic solar panel arrays installed by accredited companies. Grants are also available for larger scale non-domestic systems. The programme has been running now for 6 months and has had 78 successful applications accounting for around #2 million in grants.
	By the end of the three year first phase we hope to have installed PV systems on 3000 domestic roofs and 140 medium and large public and commercial buildings.
	VAT reductions are also available for professionally installed solar panels.

Photovoltaics

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will introduce (a) fixed net metering, (b) a feed in tariff and (c) loans for those wanting to install a solar photovoltaic system.

Brian Wilson: (a) Fixed net metering is a matter for individual suppliers, as its introduction involves them incurring costs. However, initiatives to promote its uptake are under consideration within DTI, e.g. under the Distributed Generation Co-ordinating Group.
	(b) The Renewables Obligation came into force in April of this year. This is considered a more market-driven approach than a feed-in tariff, and so compatible with a liberalised, competitive market.
	(c) Feed-in tariffs and low interest loans are features of the German Government's PV support programme, whereas we have chosen the capital grant route, which is more akin to the Japanese approach. The #20 million first phase of the Major Photovoltaic Demonstration programme, launched in March this year, offers grants averaging 50 per cent. for small and large-scale PV installations. It has been running now for 6 months and has had 78 successful applications accounting for around #2 million in grants. By the end of the three year first phase we hope to have installed PV systems on 3000 domestic roofs and 140 medium and large public and commercial buildings.

Manufacturing (North–West)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many people were employed in the manufacturing sector in the north-west in each of the last five years.

Alan Johnson: The numbers of people employed in manufacturing in the north-west during each of the last five years for which data is available from the Office of National Statistics are as follows:
	
		
			 Year  
		
		
			 1996 529,351 
			 1997 532,200 
			 1998 529,604 
			 1999 514,114 
			 2000 499,020

Manufacturing (North–West)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what support and assistance she is providing to the manufacturing sector in the north-west.

Alan Johnson: Much of the work undertaken in the north-west is underpinned by our recently published Manufacturing Strategy in which we have identified several key pillars to assist manufacturing companies in fulfilling their potential in the UK.
	The North West Development Agency (NWDA) together with regional partners are charged with taking forward Government support and assistance in the north-west. The NWDA is promoting and sharing best practice through industry cluster programmes for the aerospace, food & drink and chemicals sectors and others. NWDA delivers the supply chain programme which helps and encourages north-west businesses to use north-west suppliers as well as assisting small businesses devise recovery plans should their main customer reduce production or move from the area.
	We have established the UK's first Regional Centre for Manufacturing Excellence in Manchester. The Centre provides the DTI's Manufacturing Advisory Service—the practical, hands-on support manufacturers need. Two Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres are based in the University of Liverpool, making a significant contribution to the global competitiveness of UK manufacturing.
	Skills and Employment issues are recognised amongst other issues as an important factor in improving productivity and the NWDA has led on the coordination of a Framework for Regional Employment and Skills action (FRESA).

Electricity Supply

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, 
	(1)  if she will make a statement about complaints from members of the public relating to information provided by electricity supply companies about reconnections of supply following the storm on 27th October;
	(2)  what her Department will do to analyse the response of the electricity industry to supply problems experienced as a result of the storms of 27th October; what plans she has to meet representatives of the electricity industry and discuss what lessons can be learnt as a result of supply problems following the storms of 27th October; and if she will make a statement on the performance of electricity companies in handling power supply problems in Norfolk following the storms of 27th October.

Brian Wilson: holding answers 4 November 2002
	Following the storms I asked for a review of how the electricity distribution companies performed and for recommendations to help them ensure that future supplies to consumers are not affected to the same extent. This review will cover the supply problems experienced, including in the Norfolk area, and the quality of information provided to the public by the companies. I hope to publish it during December. Our follow-up plan will certainly include discussions with the industry about what lessons can be learnt.

KPNQwest

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade Industry, what representations her Department has received regarding regulatory issues and the bankruptcy of KPNQwest.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 4 November 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	My Department has not received any representations specifically regarding KPNQwest. There have however been a number of representations on regulatory issues and the risk to continuity of supply in the event of telecoms company failures.

Company Activities

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in what ways she has encouraged companies to report on the social and environmental implications of their activities.

Melanie Johnson: The Government have undertaken a wide range of activity to encourage companies to report on their environmental and social performance. This includes the Prime Minister's challenge to the top 350 companies to publish annual environmental reports, the work of the Pioneers group on Sectoral Sustainability Strategies and practical assistance such as the General Guidelines on Environmental Reporting produced by DEFRA and DTI and published in collaboration with the CBI.
	In the Modernising Company Law White Paper, the Government proposed that economically significant companies be required to prepare an operating and financial review. The proposals would require information on the company's impact on the environment and wider community, where relevant to an understanding of the company's business, to be covered in the narrative report.

Company Activities

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she plans that subclauses 75(2)(d)–(e) of the Draft Clauses contained in Modernising Company Law (Cm. 5553) would require the reporting on all significant environmental, social and community impacts of a company covered by this section, were these clauses to be enacted.

Melanie Johnson: If enacted as presently drafted, clause 75 would require the directors of a company to which it applied to consider whether certain information should be included in its Operating and Financial Review in order to permit the members to make an informed assessment of the company.
	While subsections 75(2)(d) and (e) refer to a company's policies on environmental issues, and on social and community issues, relevant to the company's business, subsection (f) relates to the company's performance against those policies.
	Further detail on the draft clauses on the Operating and Financial Review is at Annex D of ''Modernising Company Law, Cm 5553-I''.

Company Activities

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will use the Company Law Review to ensure that companies assess the impact of social and environmental issues on their businesses.

Melanie Johnson: The Government's response to the Company Law Review is set out in the White Paper ''Modernising Company Law (Cm 5553)''. It contains proposals for a statutory statement of duties that would require all directors to recognise so far as is practical in the circumstances social and environmental issues in deciding how best to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members. It also proposes that the most economically significant companies should report on their policies on these issues, where they are necessary for an informed assessment of the business, as part of a statutory Operating and Financial Review.

Postal Targets

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the maximum time is that Consignia can take to deliver a parcel to an address within the United Kingdom without being in breach of its targets.

Stephen Timms: Targets for scheduled services and standards are set in the licence issued by the Postal Services Commission and agreed between Royal Mail Group plc and the Consumer Council for Postal Services.
	I understand from Royal Mail that the current target for delivery of standard parcels under the terms of their licence is 90 per cent. within 3 working days after posting, including Saturday. 99.9 per cent. of parcels are targeted to be delivered within 7 working days and 100 per cent. within 15 days of posting.
	I also understand from the company that parcels of unlimited weight may be sent first class and parcels of up to 750g in weight, second class. The targets for these are 92.5 per cent. within 1 day of posting for first class, 98.5 per cent. for second class and 99.9 per cent. within 3 days and 100 per cent. within 15 days for both first and second class postage.

Electricity Supply (Gloucestershire)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what investigations she has made into the fluctuations in power in homes in Gloucestershire following the restored supplies; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 4 November 2002
	In view of the scale of the disruptions to the electricity network operated by Aquila Network Services (which supplies the Midlands area including Gloucestershire) the company has been seeking to restore supply to all customers before addressing any outstanding voltage problems, such as voltage fluctuations or low volts.
	All supplies to Gloucestershire were restored by midnight on 31 October 2002. As of midday on 1 November 2002 only a few isolated customers supplied by Aquila remained off supply. Outstanding voltage problems in Gloucestershire will be resolved soon.
	On 29 October 2002, I announced that a study will be commissioned to review how the electricity companies handled the emergency commencing on 27 October 2002. The response of Aquila Network Services, including resolution of follow-up problems such as voltage complaints, will be included in the study.

Electricity Supply (Gloucestershire)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement about the time taken to restore power to houses in Gloucestershire.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 4 November 2002
	I have been advised that 130,000 customers in Aquila's network (formerly Midlands Electricity's network) were affected by interruptions caused by the storm. By midday on 30 October 2002 supplies had been restored to 97.3 per cent. of these customers. Supplies to all customers in Gloucestershire were restored by midnight on 31 October 2002. I advised that Aquila recruited 200 linesmen and craftsmen from other electricity companies to assist with restoration of supplies.
	On 29 October 2002 I announced that a study will be commissioned to review how the electricity companies handled the emergency commencing on 27 October 2002. The response of Aquila Network Services to the widespread disruption caused by the storm will be included in the study.

Electricity Supply (Gloucestershire)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the preparations which were made to counter the potential problem of cuts in power supply to homes in Gloucestershire, following gale warnings; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 4 November 2002
	Earlier this year I commissioned a study into the resilience of the electricity transmission and distribution systems in Great Britain. The study focussed on the measures that are in place to reduce the risk of an emergency from major supply interruptions and the ability to manage the restoration of supplies in the event of widespread disruption. One conclusion arising from the report was that the electricity companies are generally better prepared and equipped to handle emergencies than was the case a decade ago.
	On 29 October 2002 I announced that another study will be commissioned to review how the electricity companies handled the emergency commencing on 27 October 2002. The preparation for the storm and response of Aquila Network Services, which distributes electricity to homes in Gloucestershire, will be included in the study.

Street Markets

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the contribution street markets make to the United Kingdom economy; how many people are (a) directly and (b) indirectly employed in such markets in the United Kingdom; and what assistance she gives to help protect and expand street markets in the United Kingdom.

Melanie Johnson: There are 6,215 enterprises with employees in the retail sales not in stores sector, which includes stalls and markets as well as mail order houses and other non-store retail. Total employment in these enterprises is around 100,000 and total turnover is around #11,000 million.
	These enterprises account for 4 per cent. of all retail sales employers and employment and 5 per cent. of turnover. They account for half a per cent. of all employers, turnover and employment in the UK.

Recruitment Consultants (Ofgem)

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which recruitment consultants her Department uses for assistance in recruiting people to the Board of Ofgem; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: My Department has operated a call-off contract with five companies to assist when appropriate in the making of public appointments. We have used Saxton Bampfylde Hever plc in the making of appointments to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority.

Future Vehicles

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she is taking to encourage the development of (a) combined electric and petrol engine and (b) hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles.

Brian Wilson: My Department, together with DfT, DEFRA and HMT, published the Powering Future Vehicles Strategy on 31 July. This declares Government targets for the introduction of low-carbon vehicles. The strategy not only seeks to achieve environmental improvements, but to engage UK industry in the development of new technologies and products such as hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. As part of the process, my department is supporting the creation of the Low Carbon Vehicles Partnership (LowCVP), with Professor Jim Skea of the Policy Studies Institute as Launch Director.
	One of the first tasks of the LowCVP will be to advise on the role and remit of a new Centre of Excellence for ''Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies'', to implement one of the recommendations of the Automotive Innovation and Growth Team, which reported earlier this year. My Department has announced #15 million support over 5 years for this and the other proposed Centre of Excellence on transport telematics. In addition the Department's Foresight Vehicle and Advanced Fuel Cells Programmes support the development of enabling technologies for alternative fuel vehicles.

Yemen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the level of bilateral trade with Yemen is.

Nigel Griffiths: In 2001, UK imports of goods from Yemen were worth #4.8 million. UK exports of goods were valued at #73.5 million.

Wind-powered Electricity

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the sites identified by her Department for the construction of wind-powered electricity generators.

Brian Wilson: The Government do not have a list of sites suitable for the construction of wind powered electricity generators. It is for developers to bring proposals forward. Government information that may assist developers in considering potential locations includes the UK Windspeed Database and the document ''Assessing the Potential of Wind Energy Projects: Notes for Developers,'' both available on the DTI website.

Liquid Petroleum Gas

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many petrol stations in Scotland sell liquid petroleum gas, broken down by local authority area.

Brian Wilson: The Liquid Petroleum Gas Association (LPGA) inform the Department that there is currently a total of 108 Scottish Autogas public refuelling stations, of which 52 are located at petrol stations.
	On basis of data on the LPGA website these petrol stations with local Authority location, are as follows:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 Glasgow — 10 Western Isles — 1 
			 Aberdeenshire — 8 Moray — 1 
			 Highland Region — 5 East Lothian — 1 
			 Dumfries & Galloway — 3 Stirling — 1 
			 Fife — 3 Dundee City — 1 
			 Lanarkshire — 3 East Ayrshire — 1 
			 West Lothian — 3 Dunbartonshire — 1 
			 Falkirk — 2 North Ayrshire — 1 
			 City of Edinburgh — 2 Argyll & Bute — 1 
			 Scottish Borders — 2
			 Angus — 2

Electricity Supply (Hertfordshire)

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will take steps to assist the homes in Herefordshire that have been without electricity for more than five days.

Brian Wilson: I understand that all those who were cut off from electricity supply as a result of the storms have now been re-connected. Customers who have been cut off may apply to their suppliers for compensation.
	Initially, it will be for the companies themselves to decide whether compensation should be offered. However, consumers can challenge non-payment through Energywatch and Ofgem. In the determination of such disputes, Ofgem would apply three tests:
	whether severe weather occurred and whether it resulted in the interruption of the customers' supply;
	whether the company took reasonable steps to prevent the severe weather causing an interruption to the customer's supply; and
	whether the restoration process undertaken by the company was reasonable given the circumstances.

Sudanese Oil

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans her Department has to promote the suspension of (a) oil extraction and (b) the trading of Sudanese oil pending the signing of a sustainable peace agreement in the Sudan.

Brian Wilson: The Department do not have any policy to halt commercial interests in Sudan. In general this Government believe that multilateral action is more effective than unilateral sanctions.

Sudanese Oil

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what advice is being given to UK companies involved in the (a) extraction and (b) trading of Sudanese oil.

Brian Wilson: The Department gives full and frank advice to UK companies involved in the (a) extraction and (b) trading of Sudanese oil based on the current security situation in Sudan. We have no ongoing campaign promoting investment in the Sudanese oil industry, nor do we have any policy to halt commercial interests.

Sellafield

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which counties of the UK have been most affected by radiological leaks from Sellafield.

Margaret Beckett: I have been asked to reply.
	There have been a small number of radiological leaks from Sellafield. Although these have not been radiologically significant, the Environment Agency monitors such events closely and takes appropriate regulatory action. The areas affected are close to Sellafield in Cumbria. No other counties have been affected.

Sellafield

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which recent representation she has had from Nordic countries on radiological pollution from Sellafield.

Margaret Beckett: I have been asked to reply.
	Over the past 18 months, the Government have received a number of representations from Nordic countries about discharges of technetium-99 from Sellafield. My Department, jointly with the Department of Health, has responsibility for the regulatory regime under which such discharges are controlled.
	Representations have been received from both the Governments of Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden and organisations representing fisheries industries in Scandinavia. The representations have centred on concerns that technetium-99, which does not occur naturally but is discharged from Sellafield, can be detected at very low levels, in marine organisms off the coasts of Scandinavian countries. All radioactive discharges from a site such as Sellafield have to be made within the limits of discharge authorizations set by the Environment Agency. The current levels of discharge of technetium-99 are well within the relevant discharge limit. At Ministers' request, the Environment Agency has recently reviewed the discharges of technetium-99 and made recommendations about how its discharge limit could be further reduced. The Government is currently considering its response to the Agency's recommendations.

DEFENCE

Military Commissions

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the compatability of the United States President's proposed special military commissions with international human rights standards as provided in the statute of the International Criminal Court; and what procedures will be adopted by these bodies to reflect international standards in respect to protection of the right to a fair trial;
	(2)  what international rules govern the handover of prisoners of war to the jurisdiction of (a) state parties and (b) to non-state parties that (i) are not party to international rules governing use of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment and (ii) may subject individuals to the death penalty.

Geoff Hoon: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

MoD Estate

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are working for private companies working on contract on the MoD estate; what the cost to these companies is of employing these officers; what his Department charges for the service personnel per hour; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many written parliamentary questions regarding private finance initiatives have been tabled since 1 January 2000; and in how many of these information has not been provided on the grounds of commercial confidentiality.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Contracts

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts his Department has had since 1997 with (a) Arthur Andersen and (b) Accenture for (i) accountancy, (ii) audit and (iii) consultancy work; and what staff have been seconded (A) to his Department and (B) from her Department to these firms.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Contracts

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  which non-accounting and non-information technology external organisations which previously held contracts with his Department (a) won new contracts at the culmination of the existing contracts and (b) won new contracts after a period of inactivity with his Department in each of the past five years;
	(2)  for which non-accounting and non-information technology external organisations have won new contracts with (a) his Department and (b) executive agencies in each of the past five years;
	(3)  if he will list the 30 largest contracts awarded by his Department from (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999, (c) May 1999 to April 2000, (d) May 2000 to April 2001 and (e) May 2001 to the latest date, indicating in each case the values of the contracts and the companies with which the contracts were placed.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 28 February 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Sponsorship

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the events which have been sponsored by a private organisation in (a) his Department, (b) the Office of Government Commerce, (c) the Inland Revenue and (d) Customs and Excise since May 1997 and the names of the sponsoring organisations; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Forces (Scotland)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of each of His Forces are stationed in Scotland; how many of his Department's civilians are in Scotland; and what the projected totals are for (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 1 February 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Trident

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) direct and (b) indirect civilian jobs rely upon the Trident programme; and how many will rely on it in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2020.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 1 February 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Private Medical Insurance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers working in his Department are provided with private medical insurance; how many individuals have been covered in each year since 1997–98 and at what total cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 6 February 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Private Medical Insurance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the UK armed forces have been provided with private medical insurance in each year since 1997–98; what the total cost has been in each of these years; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 6 February 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Costs

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2002, when he expects to be in a position to know if it is practical to give a broad estimate of costs; and if he will publish that estimate.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 7 February 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Micro-Organisms

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the implications of the production, development and use of micro-organisms that degrade materials when conducted for military purposes.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Micro-Organisms

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the research projects funded by his Department in the last five years on micro-organisms that degrade materials; and what the cost was of each project.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Overseas Bases

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the overseas bases of HM Forces, indicating the number of units of permanent accommodation at each.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 8 February 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Helicopters

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total requirement is for trained (a) Lynx helicopter, (b) Puma, (c) Chinook and (d) Sea King pilots in each service; and how many there are at present in each case.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Single Living Accommodation

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement defining what is the minimum acceptable standard of single living accommodation in the armed services.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Publicity

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the total real terms expenditure of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on publicity for each of the years (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02 (i) to date and (ii) as estimated for the whole of the present year; and if he will break these figures down to indicate expenditure on (A) advertising and (B) press and public relations.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Publicity

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the publicity and advertising campaigns run by his Department in each of the last four years, specifying the (a) purpose, (b) cost to public funds, (c) number of staff involved and (d) method of evaluation in each case.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Civil Servants (New Entrants)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new entrants to the Civil Service were employed in his Department in each of the last five years; and how many in each year were aged 50 years and over.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Correspondence

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average response time was for responding to departmental correspondence; what percentage of letters took longer than one month for a response; and what percentage took longer than three months for a response in each of the last five years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Equipment Leasing

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the equipment leasing arrangements entered into by his Department in each of the last four years; and what the cost is to public funds in each case.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Job Advertisements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the job advertisements placed by his Department in the last 12 months specifying where the advertisements were placed and the cost in each case.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Catering

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of (a) in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by his Department in each of the last four years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Special Advisers

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; and if he will list the total cost, including (i) travel, (ii) accommodation and (iii) subsistence allowance, for each occasion.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 27 February 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Capita Group

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts that have been awarded to the Capita Group by the Department.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Fair Trade Products

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether fair trade products are sold in his Department.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Football

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her Answer of 30th October, ref. 76603, how many football games she attended between 7th June and 26th November 2001 in her official capacity; and where those games took place.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State did not attend any football games in her official capacity between 7 and 26 November 2001.

LORD CHANCELLOR

RoadPeace

Simon Hughes: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what actions she proposes to take to respond to representations from RoadPeace following their meeting with Ministers on 10 October 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: I will shortly be writing to RoadPeace about the issues raised at the meeting.

Criminal Justice White Paper

Simon Hughes: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if she will publish the responses he receives to the consultation on the Criminal Justice White Paper, and place them in the Library.

Yvette Cooper: The responses will be published in due course.

CABINET OFFICE

Art Loans

David Davis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, to how many Ministers paintings are loaned from (a) the National Gallery of England, (b) the National Gallery of Scotland (c) the National Portrait Gallery. (d) the Royal Academy and (e) the National Maritime Museum.

Douglas Alexander: Decisions on works of art in Ministerial Private Offices are made between Ministers and the Government Art Collection based in the Department of Culture Media and Sport which holds a central list.
	None of the works of art hanging in my office and that of my right honourable and noble Friend the Minister for Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster are on loan from any of the institutions listed.

Honours

Andrew George: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what categories of gallantry honour are awarded by the United Kingdom.

Tony Blair: I am replying to this question as it relates to matters for which I am responsible.
	In addition to the various categories of gallantry honour available to the Services and the Armed Forces, there are four levels of award for civilian gallantry:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 Level 1 The George Cross(2) 
			  This award is granted only for actions of gallantry of the greatest heroism or for the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger. It may be granted posthumously but is restricted to British subjects. 
			 Level 2 The George Medal 
			  This award is granted for gallantry of an extremely high order. It may be granted posthumously and is not restricted to British subjects. 
			 Level 3 The Queen's Gallantry Medal 
			  This award is granted for gallantry of a high order. It may be granted posthumously and is not restricted to British subjects. 
			 Level 4 The Queen's Commendation for Bravery and The Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air 
			  These awards are granted for gallantry not up to the foregoing standard but entailing risk to life and meriting national recognition. Both awards may be granted posthumously and are not restricted to British subjects. 
		
	
	Note:
	(2) The Victoria Cross is the first level military award for gallantry, and the standard set for the GC should reflect a similar degree of heroism. (The military Conspicuous Gallantry Cross is the military equivalent to the GM; the DSC, Military Cross and DFC to the QGM; and Mention-in-despatches to the Queen's Commendation.)

Honours

Andrew George: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many gallantry honours have been awarded and how many of those awarded posthumously, in each of the past 10 years for which records are available.

Tony Blair: I am replying to this question as it relates to matters for which I am responsible.
	Figures for gallantry awards during the years 1992–2002 are as follows:
	
		
			  George Cross George Medal(3) Queen's Gallantry Medal(3) Queen's Commendation for Bravery(3) 
		
		
			 1992 Nil 2 2 36 
			 1993 Nil 2(1) 13(1) 41 
			 1994 Nil 1(1) 7(1) 58 
			 1995 Nil 2(1) 14(1) 57(2) 
			 1996 Nil 2(2) 17(2) 56(1) 
			 1997 Nil 2(1) 9(3) 20(1) 
			 1998 Nil 1 6(2) 18 
			 1999 Nil Nil Nil 7 
			 2000 Nil 2(2) 1 22 
			 2001 Nil 1 1(1) 11 
			 2002 Nil Nil 1 4(1) 
			  
			  Nil 15(8) 71(11) 330(5) 
		
	
	Note:
	(3)Figures in brackets indicate the number of these awards that were made posthumously.

Honours

Andrew George: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many posthumous gallantry honours have been awarded to (a) non-UK citizens, (b) UK citizens for acts of gallantry outside the UK and (c) non-UK citizens who had previously been citizens of the UK in the last 10 years.

Tony Blair: I am replying to this question as it relates to matters for which I am responsible.
	Statistical records do not indicate the nationality of the recipients of honours, nor are they kept in a form which indicate the country in which the acts of gallantry took place.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Childcare

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when the Inter Departmental Childcare Review will publish its findings.

Charles Clarke: The report from the Inter Departmental Childcare Review led by my noble friend Baroness Ashton, the Under Secretary of State with responsibility for sure start, early years and childcare, is being published today. The key conclusions of the report build on the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Spending Review statement on 15 July. The increased spending for childcare will lead to: the creation of at least 250,000 new childcare places by 2005–06, on top of the earlier target of new places for 1.6 million children by 2004; the establishment of new children's centres to provide childcare, family support and health services in one centre, reflecting the early lessons of Sure Start, to benefit up to 650,000 children in disadvantaged areas by 2006.
	In addition the integration of responsibility for childcare, early years education and Sure Start within a new interdepartmental unit will ensure new services will be co-ordinated to best meet the needs of children, families and communities.
	Copies of the report have been placed in the Vote Office, Printed Paper Office and the Libraries
	[ TWFY - this reply was followed directly by the same question, and then this reply: ]
	The report from the Inter Departmental Childcare Review led by my noble friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sure Start, Early Years and Childcare is being published today. The key conclusions of the report build on the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Spending Review statement on 15 July. The increased spending for childcare will lead to:
	the creation of at least 250,000 new childcare places by 2005–06, on top of the earlier target of new places for 1.6 million children by 2004;
	the establishment of new children's centres to provide childcare, family support and health services in one centre, reflecting the early lessons of Sure Start, to benefit up to 650,000 children in disadvantaged areas by 2006.
	In addition the integration of responsibility for childcare, early years education and Sure Start within a new interdepartmental unit will ensure new services will be co-ordinated to best meet the needs of children, families and communities.
	Copies of the report have been placed in the Vote Office, Printed Paper Office and the Libraries

Childcare

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will publish the report on the review of childcare by the Performance and Innovation Unit.

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are in place to assist students in full-time education to fund child care.

Margaret Hodge: Specific childcare funding of #36 million is available through the Learner Support Funds (LSF) to all post 16 Further Education Institutions (FEIs). Students in colleges can access funding of up to #4000 for each child for each year of study. Students in school and college 6th forms have access to the same level of funding through a pilot scheme which is aimed at lone parents. FEIs also have the further flexibility to use their general LSF to top up childcare funding and to meet other additional costs, such as transport to childminders.
	A childcare grant was introduced in September 2001 to help full-time higher education student parents with childcare costs. The childcare grant covers the whole year, paying 85 per cent. of actual childcare costs for 40 weeks during term times and short vacations and 70 per cent. of actual costs for 12 weeks during the student's long vacation. In the academic year 2002–03, a student parent with one child may receive a childcare grant of up to #5,724 (with two or more children up to #8,480). This may be supplemented by other dependants grants and discretionary support.

Option 5

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many letters were received in support of Option 5 from (a) constituents and (b) schools in the F40 authorities.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government have received around 55,000 letters responding to the Formula Grant Review. The majority, around 53,000, are part of the campaign run by the F40 group of authorities, who have asked for a further option to be developed for education funding. However, we do not record the details of the senders of campaign letters as a matter of course. For this reason, and since very many of those 53,000 letters are multiple copies of the same letter sent by the same people to different Ministers, it is not possible to provide a more detailed analysis except at disproportionate cost.
	We are currently taking decisions on the new system to replace SSAs. As we do so we are carefully considering the full range of evidence, pressures and points that have been put to us.

School Improvement Grant

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what grants were made through the school improvement grant in each local education authority in 2001–02.

David Miliband: A total of #213 million was available through the Standards Fund School Improvement Grant in the 2001–02 Financial Year. Individual allocations, including the contributions from local education authorities, are shown in the following table.
	Sixty per cent. of the grant is devolved to all maintained schools to raise levels of pupil attainment by funding activities in School Development, Post-Ofsted and Raising Attainment Plans. Fifteen per cent. of the grant is targeted at schools in special measures and secondary schools facing challenging circumstances to bring about urgent improvements. Five per cent. of the grant was to support direct interventions in schools facing challenging circumstances. The remainder is designed to achieve the priorities set out in local education authorities' Educational Development Plans.
	
		
			 Standards Fund Allocations for the School Improvement Grant 2001–2002 Devolved Schools in Special Measures or Facing Challenging Circumstances Direct Intervention Education Development Plan Priorities Total 
			 Local Education Authority # # # # # 
		
		
			 Corporation of London 5,000 0 0 2,000 7,000 
			 Camden 360,000 65,000 46,000 120,000 591,000 
			 Greenwich 565,000 200,000 21,000 189,000 975,000 
			 Hackney 426,000 160,000 102,500 142,000 830,500 
			 Hammersmith & Fulham 300,000 65,000 177,000 100,000 642,000 
			 Islington 390,000 140,000 58,000 130,000 718,000 
			 Kensington & Chelsea 192,000 0 0 64,000 256,000 
			 Lambeth 487,000 130,000 16,500 163,000 796,500 
			 Lewisham 547,000 200,000 78,000 183,000 1,008,000 
			 Southwark 559,000 340,000 192,500 187,000 1,278,500 
			 Tower Hamlets 593,000 280,000 87,000 198,000 1,158,000 
			 Wandsworth 460,000 85,000 14,000 154,000 713,000 
			 Westminster 296,000 130,000 16,500 99,000 541,500 
			 Barking 399,000 50,000 72,000 133,000 654,000 
			 Barnet 728,000 305,000 185,500 243,000 1,461,500 
			 Bexley 566,000 210,000 10,500 189,000 975,500 
			 Brent 538,000 190,000 122,750 179,000 1,029,750 
			 Bromley 663,000 25,000 2,500 221,000 911,500 
			 Croydon 763,000 170,000 23,500 255,000 1,211,500 
			 Ealing 600,000 95,000 3,500 200,000 898,500 
			 Enfield 642,000 110,000 14,000 214,000 980,000 
			 Haringey 524,000 155,000 353,500 175,000 1,207,500 
			 Harrow 433,000 45,000 2,500 144,000 624,500 
			 Havering 557,000 210,000 10,500 186,000 963,500 
			 Hillingdon 580,000 280,000 10,500 194,000 1,064,500 
			 Hounslow 526,000 20,000 9,500 176,000 731,500 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 312,000 25,000 0 104,000 441,000 
			 Merton 361,000 70,000 3,500 121,000 555,500 
			 Newham 644,000 275,000 24,500 215,000 1,158,500 
			 Redbridge 555,000 20,000 24,500 185,000 784,500 
			 Richmond Upon Thames 302,000 70,000 3,500 101,000 476,500 
			 Sutton 412,000 140,000 8,000 137,000 697,000 
			 Waltham Forest 542,000 190,000 23,500 181,000 936,500 
			 Birmingham 2,753,000 825,000 394,000 919,000 4,891,000 
			 Coventry 757,000 395,000 99,000 253,000 1,504,000 
			 Dudley 736,000 135,000 14,500 246,000 1,131,500 
			 Sandwell 804,000 295,000 46,500 268,000 1,413,500 
			 Solihull 549,000 65,000 69,500 183,000 866,500 
			 Walsall 768,000 560,000 300,500 256,000 1,884,500 
			 Wolverhampton 694,000 260,000 18,500 232,000 1,204,500 
			 Knowsley 460,000 150,000 32,000 153,000 795,000 
			 Liverpool 1,267,000 380,000 233,000 423,000 2,303,000 
			 St Helens 468,000 90,000 10,500 156,000 724,500 
			 Sefton 742,000 65,000 19,000 248,000 1,074,000 
			 Wirral 844,000 100,000 18,500 282,000 1,244,500 
			 Bolton 755,000 255,000 38,000 252,000 1,300,000 
			 Bury 492,000 95,000 54,000 164,000 805,000 
			 Manchester 1,117,000 310,000 47,876 373,000 1,847,876 
			 Oldham 683,000 85,000 10,500 228,000 1,006,500 
			 Rochdale 593,000 110,000 10,500 198,000 911,500 
			 Salford 650,000 100,000 25,500 217,000 992,500 
			 Stockport 734,000 70,000 3,500 245,000 1,052,500 
			 Tameside 607,000 285,000 10,500 203,000 1,105,500 
			 Trafford 576,000 230,000 73,500 192,000 1,071,500 
			 Wigan 818,000 255,000 17,500 273,000 1,363,500 
			 Barnsley 578,000 130,000 20,000 193,000 921,000 
			 Doncaster 818,000 130,000 71,000 273,000 1,292,000 
			 Rotherham 761,000 65,000 15,500 254,000 1,095,500 
			 Sheffield 1,160,000 345,000 144,500 387,000 2,036,500 
			 Bradford 1,452,000 220,000 901,000 485,000 3,058,000 
			 Calderdale 586,000 110,000 176,500 195,000 1,067,500 
			 Kirklees 1,071,000 410,000 31,000 358,000 1,870,000 
			 Leeds 1,775,000 435,000 71,000 592,000 2,873,000 
			 Wakefield 886,000 145,000 7,000 296,000 1,334,000 
			 Gateshead 510,000 130,000 20,000 170,000 830,000 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne 634,000 110,000 17,500 212,000 973,500 
			 North Tyneside 500,000 0 0 167,000 667,000 
			 South Tyneside 437,000 70,000 308,500 146,000 961,500 
			 Sunderland 768,000 105,000 178,000 256,000 1,307,000 
			 Isles Of Scilly 16,000 0 25,000 5,000 46,000 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 451,000 25,000 0 151,000 627,000 
			 Bristol 896,000 300,000 48,500 299,000 1,543,500 
			 North Somerset 452,000 25,000 0 151,000 628,000 
			 South Gloucestershire 653,000 215,000 9,500 218,000 1,095,500 
			 Hartlepool 252,000 40,000 9,500 84,000 385,500 
			 Middlesborough 376,000 100,000 20,000 125,000 621,000 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 401,000 20,000 14,000 134,000 569,000 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 496,000 90,000 13,000 165,000 764,000 
			 Kingston-upon-Hull 646,000 305,000 29,000 216,000 1,196,000 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 864,000 125,000 0 288,000 1,277,000 
			 North East Lincolnshire 457,000 135,000 175,500 152,000 919,500 
			 North Lincolnshire 450,000 140,000 7,000 150,000 747,000 
			 North Yorkshire 1,803,000 165,000 14,500 602,000 2,584,500 
			 York 421,000 70,000 3,500 141,000 635,500 
			 Bedfordshire 1,132,000 255,000 9,000 378,000 1,774,000 
			 Luton 498,000 70,000 7,000 166,000 741,000 
			 Buckinghamshire 1,313,000 350,000 8,000 438,000 2,109,000 
			 Milton Keynes 574,000 210,000 66,500 192,000 1,042,500 
			 Derbyshire 2,144,000 500,000 66,000 716,000 3,426,000 
			 Derby City 612,000 345,000 23,500 204,000 1,184,500 
			 Dorset 964,000 190,000 4,500 322,000 1,480,500 
			 Poole 284,000 140,000 42,000 95,000 561,000 
			 Bournemouth 292,000 70,000 4,500 97,000 463,500 
			 Durham 1,509,000 440,000 104,000 504,000 2,557,000 
			 Darlington 279,000 70,000 3,500 93,000 445,500 
			 East Sussex 1,086,000 95,000 3,500 363,000 1,547,500 
			 Brighton and Hove 465,000 115,000 44,500 155,000 779,500 
			 Hampshire 2,997,000 525,000 17,500 1,001,000 4,540,500 
			 Portsmouth 423,000 185,000 9,500 141,000 758,500 
			 Southampton 506,000 330,000 14,000 169,000 1,019,000 
			 Leicestershire 1,589,000 70,000 1,000 531,000 2,191,000 
			 Leicester City 714,000 200,000 43,000 238,000 1,195,000 
			 Rutland 101,000 0 0 34,000 135,000 
			 Staffordshire 2,252,000 495,000 18,500 752,000 3,517,500 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 665,000 105,000 25,000 222,000 1,017,000 
			 Wiltshire 1,246,000 310,000 9,500 416,000 1,981,500 
			 Swindon 490,000 260,000 24,500 164,000 938,500 
			 Bracknell Forest 242,000 0 5,000 81,000 328,000 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 342,000 25,000 1,000 114,000 482,000 
			 West Berkshire 434,000 25,000 0 145,000 604,000 
			 Reading 301,000 240,000 4,500 100,000 645,500 
			 Slough 300,000 180,000 69,000 100,000 649,000 
			 Wokingham 383,000 0 0 128,000 511,000 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,345,000 190,000 7,000 449,000 1,991,000 
			 Peterborough 457,000 235,000 10,500 153,000 855,500 
			 Cheshire 1,858,000 395,000 20,000 620,000 2,893,000 
			 Halton 376,000 40,000 4,500 126,000 546,500 
			 Warrington 522,000 190,000 8,000 174,000 894,000 
			 Devon 1,828,000 145,000 8,500 610,000 2,591,500 
			 Plymouth 648,000 230,000 22,500 216,000 1,116,500 
			 Torbay 283,000 70,000 47,000 94,000 494,000 
			 Essex 3,296,000 1,075,000 40,000 1,100,000 5,511,000 
			 Southend-on-Sea 379,000 70,000 6,000 127,000 582,000 
			 Thurrock 351,000 375,000 20,000 117,000 863,000 
			 Herefordshire 489,000 95,000 3,500 163,000 750,500 
			 Worcestershire 1,451,000 425,000 65,000 484,000 2,425,000 
			 Kent 3,460,000 1,740,000 398,300 1,155,000 6,753,300 
			 Medway 688,000 560,000 29,000 230,000 1,507,000 
			 Lancashire 3,334,000 930,000 64,000 1,113,000 5,441,000 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 440,000 45,000 161,347 147,000 793,347 
			 Blackpool 295,000 110,000 54,500 98,000 557,500 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,068,000 450,000 20,000 690,000 3,228,000 
			 Nottingham City 707,000 454,166 127,500 236,000 1,524,666 
			 Shropshire 794,000 0 0 265,000 1,059,000 
			 Telford and Wrekin 453,000 235,000 99,200 151,000 938,200 
			 Cornwall 1,376,000 75,000 0 459,000 1,910,000 
			 Cumbria 1,613,000 305,000 20,000 539,000 2,477,000 
			 Gloucestershire 1,576,000 400,000 20,000 526,000 2,522,000 
			 Hertfordshire 2,972,000 660,000 38,000 992,000 4,662,000 
			 Isle Of Wight 355,000 25,000 0 118,000 498,000 
			 Lincolnshire 1,872,000 1,620,000 148,500 625,000 4,265,500 
			 Norfolk 2,204,000 595,000 86,500 736,000 3,621,500 
			 Northamptonshire 1,836,000 590,000 17,000 613,000 3,056,000 
			 Northumberland 1,011,000 0 2,500 337,000 1,350,500 
			 Oxfordshire 1,556,000 245,000 3,500 519,000 2,323,500 
			 Somerset 1,345,000 70,000 11,000 449,000 1,875,000 
			 Suffolk 1,789,000 235,000 8,000 597,000 2,629,000 
			 Surrey 2,297,000 145,000 2,000 767,000 3,211,000 
			 Warwickshire 1,354,000 475,000 21,500 452,000 2,302,500 
			 West Sussex 1,725,000 190,000 7,000 576,000 2,498,000 
			  
			 England Total 128,804,000 33,214,166 7,824,973 42,995,000 212,838,139

Higher Education

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the answer of 21 October, Official Report, column 38W, what the annual cost to public funds is of each higher education access measure listed.

Margaret Hodge: The relevant figures are:
	Excellence Challenge—#69.6 million (2002–03)
	Access/Hardship Funds—#85.5 million (2002–03)
	Loans for part-time students (excluding Open University Students)—#1.3 million (2001–02)
	2001–02 costs for the childcare grant; and the travel, books and equipment grant will be available in Spring 2003.

Teachers

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of (a) the number and (b) the percentage of teachers (i) passing the threshold for performance related pay and (ii) rising up the enhanced pay spine having passed the threshold.

David Miliband: Over 200,000 teachers applied and were successful in Round 1 of Performance Threshold (97 per cent. of applications) and a further 31,000 successfully achieved threshold status in Round 2 (95 per cent. of applications to date). Teachers who were placed on point 1 of the Upper Pay Scale in Round 1 were first eligible to progress to point 2 in September 2002. It is too early to compile details of the numbers who have done so at present.

Children's Fund

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which programmes are being funded by the Children's Fund; what the results have been so far; and what further evaluation is (a) underway and (b) planned.

John Denham: The Children's Fund is responsible for implementation of 149 Children's Fund programmes (Annex A) across England. The Fund is being rolled out in three waves, and to date 40 plans in Wave 1 and 50 plans in Wave 2 have been approved. The remaining 59 plans in Wave 3 will be submitting proposals at the end of the year, and approved plans will begin operating from April 2003. Programmes bring together local voluntary organisations, statutory agencies, community and faith groups, children and young people and their families to deliver a range of locally co-ordinated preventive services for 5–13 year olds at risk. Examples of activities include bi-lingual home/school liaison projects, helping children with behavioural difficulties, managing the transition between primary and secondary school, tackling truancy and promoting community cohesion through developing positive perceptions about different cultures.
	The Children and Young People's Unit gather information on all services supported by the Children's Fund on a quarterly basis. The most recent information available from 38 out of 40 Wave 1 partnerships shows that 584 services were supported during April–June 2002 (Annex B). No information was gathered from Wave 2 partnerships for April–June 2002 because the majority of partnerships only received approval in April 2002. The CYPU is gathering service information on all Wave 1 and 2 partnerships for the period July–September 2002, and this information should be available later this year. It is too soon for the programme to provide an accurate indication of the direct impact on children and their families, but early feedback from children, parents, teachers and other professionals is positive. Individual programmes are already making a difference in improving school attendance, tackling behavioural problems and promoting positive parenting.
	The Children and Young People's Unit are in the process of selecting a contractor for a national evaluation of the Children's Fund, and work is expected to begin early in 2003. This will draw on the results of local evaluations of achievement against measurable targets which individual partnerships are required to carry out.

Schools Performance

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will rank each local education authority according to its performance on Key Stage 2 and 3 SATS results for the last three available years, including the preliminary results for 2002; and which local education authorities did not achieve 33 per cent. of pupils obtaining above average scores in each Key Stage 2 subject.

David Miliband: holding answer 5 November 2002
	The information requested has been placed in the Library.

QCA

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in respect of how many schools each year (a) complaints and (b) reports of incorrect SATS results reached the QCA; in which local education authorities those complaints and reports occurred; and how the QCA dealt with these complaints.

David Miliband: holding answer 5 November 2002
	The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) does not maintain a central log of volume or nature of correspondence. All correspondence received at QCA is responded to and dealt with by the relevant team or division. It is therefore not possible to give the figures requested without incurring disproportionate cost.
	The procedures for dealing with complaints fall within QCA's Customer Service Charter and are responded to within the 5-day turn-around time described in the charter. QCA replies to any general complaints under their Customer Service Charter. Where schools have concern about the quality of marking of their pupils' scripts and consider that they may have been awarded an incorrect level, a review of marking can be requested. The arrangements for seeking a review of marking are included in QCA's Schools' Guide, sent to schools each year. An application for a review of marking is considered by a panel of senior markers led by the Lead Chief Marker for the subject. Any re-marking that occurs as part of the review procedure is undertaken by a review or senior marker.
	The number of reviews of marking requested in 2002 is not yet available although early estimates have not shown any significant increase on previous years' figures. Figures for 2001 are available in the Standards Reports published by QCA and will be placed in the House of Commons Library. Figures for 2002 will also be placed in the Library when available.

SATS

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will place the guidance on procedures for the conduct and integrity of SATS tests in the Library with the arrangements for monitoring the inplementation of that guidance.

David Miliband: holding answer 5 November 2002
	The guidance on procedures for the conduct and integrity of the National Curriculum tests is contained in the:
	2003 Assessment and Reporting Arrangements booklets for Key Stages 1, 2 & 3;
	Guidance on Administering the Years 7 and 8 Tests booklet;
	Teacher Packs which accompany the actual test materials and re-state the guidance in the Assessment and Reporting Arrangement booklets; and
	Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 Schools Guides.
	The instruction for monitoring the implementation of the guidance is contained in the Test Security and Administration Monitoring Visits to Schools form.
	We will place copies of current guidance in the House of Commons Library.

Individual Learning Allowance

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money claimed by contractors under the ILA scheme remains unpaid.

Ivan Lewis: The Department contracted with Capita Business Services Ltd to deliver the Individual Learning Account (ILA) programme. Since closure of the programme, Capita have worked closely with the Department on the wind down of the original programme and to assist in the development of the successor scheme. We have now agreed with Capita that, because we are undertaking a fundamental review of the funding of adult learning, their work on the successor scheme is complete and we have agreed to terminate our contract with them. The Department is discussing settlement terms with Capita.
	Learning providers, who were not contracted to the Department, were required to register with Capita's ILA Centre. Currently #17.3 million is withheld from 268 learning providers.

Learning and Skills Council

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many square feet of office space are occupied by the Worcester office of the Learning and Skills Council; and how many square feet will be occupied by the Council in its new Worcester Office;
	(2)  how many staff are employed in the Worcester office of the Learning and Skills Council;
	(3)  what the cost is of the new office space to which the Worcester office of the Learning and Skills Council is moving; and when it will move.

Margaret Hodge: These are matters for the Learning and Skills Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Student Loans

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if the Government will raise the repayment threshold for student loans;
	(2)  if his Department will reintroduce targeted maintenance support for those students from the poorest backgrounds.

Margaret Hodge: In January we will publish a strategy document setting out our vision for the development and reform of higher education, including the outcome of the review of student support. It would not be right to pre-empt it here by saying what is or is not planned.

Student Assessment

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on what the OECD PISA 2000 survey is measuring.

David Miliband: The main purpose of the Programme for International Student Assessment 2000 (PISA) study is to assess the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds in three broad areas of literacy: reading, mathematics and science. It aims to assess the extent to which young people can use their knowledge and skills to meet the challenges they are likely to encounter in adult life. PISA 2000 focused on the reading literacy domain.

Top-up Fees

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1) , what assessment he has made of the introduction of top-up fees for some higher education institutions in other countries;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the potential impact on student access to higher education of introducing top-up fees;
	(3)  what evidence his Department has collated on the extent to which top-up fees for students will affect access to higher education.

Margaret Hodge: We have announced our intention to publish in January a strategy document setting out our vision for the development and reform of higher education, including the outcome of the review of student support. It would not be right to say now what evidence we have been considering or what analyses we have undertaken.

Teaching Assistants

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent through the Standards Fund on teaching assistants in each local education authority in 2001–02.

David Miliband: Details of Standards Fund expenditure by local education authorities for 2001–02 are not held centrally. Some #197m was made available to authorities in 2001–02 through Standards Fund grant for the recruitment and training of teaching assistants, as set out below. 95 per cent. of this grant was required to be devolved to schools. Schools have freedom to move funding between Standards Fund headings according to their own detailed needs and priorities.
	
		
			  
		
		
			 Corporation of London 8,675 
			 Camden 617,936 
			 Greenwich 1,076,757 
			 Hackney 887,749 
			 Hammersmith & Fulham 530,145 
			 Islington 773,211 
			 Kensington & Chelsea 32,800 
			 Lambeth 953,123 
			 Lewisham 1,054,816 
			 Southwark 1,146,748 
			 Tower Hamlets 1,231,776 
			 Wandsworth 813,649 
			 Westminster 511,567 
			 Barking 763,631 
			 Barnet 1,116,010 
			 Bexley 913,645 
			 Brent 670,000 
			 Bromley 1,005,144 
			 Croydon 1,314,219 
			 Ealing 1,146,233 
			 Enfield 1,135,422 
			 Haringey 1,062,712 
			 Harrow 709,832 
			 Havering 840,370 
			 Hillingdon 932,308 
			 Hounslow 890,678 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 455,486 
			 Merton 629,624 
			 Newham 1,451,590 
			 Redbridge 930,456 
			 Richmond Upon Thames 461,772 
			 Sutton 612,786 
			 Waltham Forest 1,007,174 
			 Birmingham 5,029,435 
			 Coventry 1,279,289 
			 Dudley 1,231,963 
			 Sandwell 1,465,662 
			 Solihull 850,634 
			 Walsall 1,292,399 
			 Wolverhampton 1,175,130 
			 Knowsley 917,931 
			 Liverpool 2,349,883 
			 St Helens 754,754 
			 Sefton 1,183,741 
			 Wirral 1,430,860 
			 Bolton 1,193,623 
			 Bury 500,000 
			 Manchester 2,186,905 
			 Oldham 1,110,866 
			 Rochdale 1,011,770 
			 Salford 1,074,563 
			 Stockport 960,000 
			 Tameside 997,991 
			 Trafford 872,352 
			 Wigan 1,271,344 
			 Barnsley 988,852 
			 Doncaster 1,364,745 
			 Rotherham 1,202,030 
			 Sheffield 2,046,772 
			 Bradford 2,384,079 
			 Calderdale 896,519 
			 Kirklees 1,712,556 
			 Leeds 2,952,887 
			 Wakefield 1,423,475 
			 Gateshead 835,889 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne 1,094,654 
			 North Tyneside 784,542 
			 South Tyneside 733,341 
			 Sunderland 1,346,144 
			 Isles Of Scilly 14,236 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 596,810 
			 Bristol 1,531,452 
			 North Somerset 630,065 
			 South Gloucestershire 926,887 
			 Hartlepool 457,624 
			 Middlesborough 618,783 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 694,649 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 837,509 
			 Kingston-upon-Hull 1,212,509 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 1,198,841 
			 North East Lincolnshire 758,026 
			 North Lincolnshire 650,329 
			 North Yorkshire 2,262,426 
			 York 612,365 
			 Bedfordshire 1,452,150 
			 Luton 873,261 
			 Buckinghamshire 1,731,841 
			 Milton Keynes 931,325 
			 Derbyshire 3,043,238 
			 Derby City 1,041,886 
			 Dorset 1,193,397 
			 Poole 434,508 
			 Bournemouth 452,286 
			 Durham 2,228,514 
			 Darlington 437,775 
			 East Sussex 1,630,639 
			 Brighton and Hove 786,789 
			 Hampshire 4,184,795 
			 Portsmouth 695,848 
			 Southampton 835,012 
			 Leicestershire 2,135,803 
			 Leicester City 1,312,306 
			 Rutland 123,583 
			 Staffordshire 3,174,241 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 1,118,490 
			 Wiltshire 1,637,208 
			 Swindon 737,258 
			 Bracknell Forest 350,873 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 428,008 
			 West Berkshire 558,452 
			 Reading 485,239 
			 Slough 495,159 
			 Wokingham 507,460 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,886,801 
			 Peterborough 733,121 
			 Cheshire 2,594,992 
			 Halton 601,942 
			 Warrington 774,350 
			 Devon 2,507,833 
			 Plymouth 1,008,169 
			 Torbay 449,188 
			 Essex 4,769,297 
			 Southend-on-Sea 619,856 
			 Thurrock 590,385 
			 Herefordshire 629,628 
			 Worcestershire 1,915,094 
			 Kent 5,024,645 
			 Medway 1,067,556 
			 Lancashire 4,797,935 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 735,970 
			 Blackpool 533,575 
			 Nottinghamshire 3,060,305 
			 Nottingham City 1,377,642 
			 Shropshire 1,036,167 
			 Telford and Wrekin 709,065 
			 Cornwall 1,915,899 
			 Cumbria 2,156,303 
			 Gloucestershire 2,079,475 
			 Hertfordshire 4,103,424 
			 Isle Of Wight 460,329 
			 Lincolnshire 2,470,535 
			 Norfolk 3,128,871 
			 Northamptonshire 2,503,761 
			 Northumberland 1,263,218 
			 Oxfordshire 2,071,858 
			 Somerset 1,787,640 
			 Suffolk 2,366,302 
			 Surrey 3,198,226 
			 Warwickshire 1,852,236 
			 West Sussex 2,481,759 
			  
			  196,878,831

School Grants

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what (a) the formula grant and (b) the spending per head in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in F40 authorities is in 2002–03.

David Miliband: The following tables show the Standard Spending Assessment and specific/special grants per head in f40 authorities in 2002–03. Information on actual spending will not be available until the autumn of 2003:
	
		2002–03 Primary SSA & Grants per pupil
		
			  SSA Grants Total 
			  # # # 
		
		
			 Dudley #2,490 #410 #2,900 
			 Solihull #2,460 #480 #2,940 
			 Bury #2,520 #480 #3,010 
			 Stockport #2,460 #460 #2,920 
			 Tameside #2,600 #510 #3,100 
			 Trafford #2,520 #460 #2,980 
			 Wigan #2,500 #510 #3,010 
			 Wakefield #2,530 #520 #3,050 
			 North Tyneside #2,580 #570 #3,150 
			 Bath and North East Somerset #2,440 #460 #2,900 
			 North Somerset #2,460 #490 #2,950 
			 South Gloucestershire #2,390 #420 #2,810 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire #2,480 #490 #2,970 
			 North Yorkshire #2,560 #500 #3,050 
			 York #2,480 #460 #2,940 
			 Derbyshire #2,490 #480 #2,980 
			 Dorset #2,490 #460 #2,950 
			 Poole #2,450 #410 #2,860 
			 Hampshire #2,580 #400 #2,980 
			 Leicestershire #2,410 #400 #2,820 
			 Rutland #2,470 #610 #3,080 
			 Staffordshire #2,450 #420 #2,870 
			 Wiltshire #2,510 #440 #2,950 
			 Swindon #2,500 #420 #2,910 
			 West Berkshire #2,590 #490 #3,080 
			 Wokingham #2,470 #410 #2,880 
			 Cambridgeshire #2,530 #420 #2,950 
			 Cheshire #2,470 #450 #2,920 
			 Warrington #2,450 #440 #2,880 
			 Devon #2,560 #460 #3,020 
			 Worcestershire #2,470 #420 #2,890 
			 Nottinghamshire #2,510 #460 #2,970 
			 Shropshire #2,530 #470 #3,000 
			 Cumbria #2,580 #520 #3,100 
			 Gloucestershire #2,500 #470 #2,970 
			 Northamptonshire #2,530 #420 #2,950 
			 Northumberland #2,560 #490 #3,060 
			 Somerset #2,530 #450 #2,980 
			 Suffolk #2,530 #400 #2,930 
			 Warwickshire #2,490 #460 #2,940 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures reflect Education SSA primary sub-block plus all primary school related revenue grants in DfES's DEL relevant to pupils aged 5–10 (primary).
	2. Grant figures include notional allocations for those grants in support of more than one sector. EMA and El
	3. The SSA figures make no allowances for changes in the SSA methodology.
	4. Pupil numbers underlying the #s per pupil are those underlying the SSA settlement calculations (primary sub-blocks).
	5. Figures rounded to nearest #10. Difference figures may not sum due to rounding
	
		2002–03 Secondary SSA & Grants per pupil
		
			  SSA Grants Total 
			  # # # 
		
		
			 Dudley #3,180 #310 #3,490 
			 Solihull #3,120 #310 #3,420 
			 Bury #3,220 #290 #3,510 
			 Stockport #3,160 #300 #3,460 
			 Tameside #3,310 #330 #3,640 
			 Trafford #3,230 #310 #3,540 
			 Wigan #3,190 #330 #3,510 
			 Wakefield #3,250 #330 #3,580 
			 North Tyneside #3,320 #480 #3,790 
			 Bath and North East Somerset #3,060 #290 #3,360 
			 North Somerset #3,170 #320 #3,490 
			 South Gloucestershire #3,090 #290 #3,380 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire #3,200 #300 #3,500 
			 North Yorkshire #3,240 #320 #3,570 
			 York #3,190 #340 #3,530 
			 Derbyshire #3,200 #310 #3,510 
			 Dorset #3,180 #330 #3,500 
			 Poole #3,130 #300 #3,430 
			 Hampshire #3,320 #290 #3,610 
			 Leicestershire #3,090 #300 #3,400 
			 Rutland #3,040 #350 #3,380 
			 Staffordshire #3,140 #300 #3,450 
			 Wiltshire #3,220 #310 #3,530 
			 Swindon #3,200 #290 #3,490 
			 West Berkshire #3,280 #310 #3,590 
			 Wokingham #3,180 #290 #3,470 
			 Cambridgeshire #3,230 #300 #3,520 
			 Cheshire #3,150 #300 #3,450 
			 Warrington #3,150 #290 #3,440 
			 Devon #3,290 #300 #3,590 
			 Worcestershire #3,160 #350 #3,510 
			 Nottinghamshire #3,220 #290 #3,500 
			 Shropshire #3,230 #320 #3,550 
			 Cumbria #3,300 #370 #3,670 
			 Gloucestershire #3,190 #320 #3,510 
			 Northamptonshire #3,230 #330 #3,560 
			 Northumberland #3,290 #460 #3,750 
			 Somerset #3,240 #330 #3,570 
			 Suffolk #3,220 #370 #3,590 
			 Warwickshire #3,170 #300 #3,480 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures reflect Education SSA (secondary sub-block) plus all school related revenue grants in DfES's DEL relevant to pupils 11–15 (secondary).
	2. Grant figures include notional allocations for those grants in support of more than one sector. EMA and
	3. The SSA figures make no allowances for changes in the SSA methodology.
	4. Pupil numbers underlying the #s per pupil are those underlying the SSA settlement calculations (secondary sub-block).
	5. Figures rounded to nearest #10. Difference figures may not sum due to rounding.

Golden Hello

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers in each local education authority were entitled to a golden hello in 2001–02.

David Miliband: The information is not available in the form requested. The table shows provisional data on the number of claims for reimbursement of Golden Hello payments received by my Department in respect of the 2001–02 financial year. The payments comprise a mixture of ''old-style'', #2,500 Golden Hellos paid on appointment to a relevant post and ''new-style'', #4,000 Golden Hellos paid on successful completion of induction. The number of newly-qualified teachers who were eligible to receive an ''old-style'' payment in 2001–02, but exercised their right to claim a ''new-style'' Golden Hello later is not known.
	
		
			 Local Education Authority(4) Number of claims 
		
		
			 Camden 6 
			 Greenwich 17 
			 Islington 2 
			 Tower Hamlets 9 
			 Wandsworth 12 
			 Barnet 10 
			 Bexley 9 
			 Brent 4 
			 Bromley 10 
			 Enfield 3 
			 Haringey 4 
			 Hounslow 2 
			 Kingston upon Thames 3 
			 Merton 3 
			 Newham 8 
			 Redbridge 8 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1 
			 Sutton 6 
			 Birmingham 7 
			 Coventry 9 
			 Dudley 3 
			 Sandwell 2 
			 Solihull 7 
			 Walsall 3 
			 Knowsley 6 
			 Liverpool 12 
			 St Helens 6 
			 Wirral 7 
			 Manchester 12 
			 Oldham 9 
			 Rochdale 5 
			 Salford 7 
			 Stockport 3 
			 Tameside 5 
			 Trafford 2 
			 Wigan 6 
			 Barnsley 1 
			 Rotherham 8 
			 Sheffield 10 
			 Bradford 4 
			 Leeds 7 
			 Gateshead 9 
			 North Tyneside 10 
			 Bath + NE Somerset 5 
			 Bristol 3 
			 North Somerset 1 
			 South Gloucestershire 9 
			 Hartlepool 1 
			 Middlesbrough 1 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 3 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 4 
			 East Riding 4 
			 North East Lincolnshire 7 
			 North Lincolnshire 1 
			 North Yorkshire 6 
			 York 2 
			 Bedfordshire 11 
			 Luton 2 
			 Buckinghamshire 6 
			 Milton Keynes 5 
			 Derby 6 
			 Dorset 3 
			 Poole 5 
			 Durham 14 
			 East Sussex 7 
			 Brighton and Hove 2 
			 Hampshire 22 
			 Portsmouth 1 
			 Leicestershire 6 
			 Staffordshire 11 
			 Wiltshire 4 
			 Swindon 10 
			 Berkshire 5 
			 Reading 3 
			 Slough 1 
			 Wokingham 10 
			 Cambridgeshire 6 
			 Cheshire 19 
			 Halton 6 
			 Warrington 11 
			 Devon 6 
			 Plymouth 4 
			 Torbay 3 
			 Essex 28 
			 Southend-on-Sea 3 
			 Worcestershire 3 
			 Medway 11 
			 Blackburn and Darwen 4 
			 Blackpool 7 
			 Nottinghamshire 19 
			 Nottingham 3 
			 Shropshire 3 
			 Cornwall 9 
			 Cumbria 5 
			 Gloucestershire 12 
			 Hertfordshire 30 
			 Isle of Wight 1 
			 Lincolnshire 15 
			 Northamptonshire 8 
			 Northumberland 18 
			 Somerset 2 
			 Suffolk 14 
			 Warwickshire 18 
			 West Sussex 9 
		
	
	Note:
	1. LEAs not listed have submitted no claims for reimbursement in 2001–02.

Newly Qualified Teachers

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many newly qualified teachers in each local education authority were entitled to induction support in 2001–02.

David Miliband: All Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) who take up a post of one term or more in a maintained school, or non-maintained special school, are entitled to induction. This includes a 10 per cent. reduced timetable, ongoing support and guidance, and an individually tailored induction programme. NQTs can also undertake induction in independent schools and sixth-form colleges, although there is no statutory obligation to do so in such institutions.
	The information on the number of NQTs undertaking induction in each LEA is now held by the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE). The information for the academic year 2001–2002 will be available in the next few days and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I have it.

Teachers (Warning Notices)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on how many occasions in each local education authority section 15 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 has been invoked for (a) warning notices and (b) subsequent formal interventions.

David Miliband: The Department does not routinely collect information on the number of formal warnings issued under section 15 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, nor on the number of these that lead to the subsequent use of the intervention powers by local authorities.
	Any decisions to issue such warnings and to use such powers are for local education authorities. Statutory guidance on the use of formal warning notices was given in Annex 2 of the Code of Practice on Local Education Authority-School Relations in February 2001. A copy of this guidance is in the Library.

Swimming Lessons

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what steps are being taken to ensure that schools provide sufficient curriculum time for school swimming in order to meet National Curriculum targets;
	(2)  when she will provide further details of the increased training of PE teachers in swimming and water safety announced on 17 October;
	(3)  how many children fail to meet National Curriculum standards in swimming at age 11; what criteria will be used to select the areas for remedial swimming pilots as announced on 17 October; and what funding will be made available for this;
	(4)  what figures she collates on how many schools ask for parental contributions for curriculum swimming lessons.

David Miliband: We are developing a package of measures to deliver our commitment to enhance the take up of sporting opportunities by 5 to 16-year-olds by increasing the percentage of school children who spend a minimum of 2 hours each week during term time on high-quality PE and school sport. Our Swimming Strategy was announced on 17 October. Part of that Strategy, the Swimming Charter which will be published in 2003, will provide non-statutory guidance to schools on how much time to allocate for swimming specifically as part of this commitment to enhance sporting opportunities for children. Other details of the strategy, including the criteria to be used to select the areas for remedial swimming pilots, funding to be made available and details of increased training for PE teachers in swimming and water safety, are being developed. The Department does not collect data on how many schools ask for parental contributions for curriculum swimming lessons. Some 20 per cent. of children aged 11 years old fail to meet National Curriculum standards in swimming (Swimming In Key Stage 2: An Inspection Report on Standards and Provision; OFSTED, 2000).

Higher Education

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skill what definition of higher education is used in the context of his Department's target of increasing participation in higher education towards an entry rate of 50 per cent. of 18 to 30-year-olds by 2010.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 31 October 2002
	Progress towards the target is measured by the number of first time entrants to higher education aged 18–30, as a proportion of the relevant population. The target covers all courses of one year or more above A level and its equivalents that lead to a recognised higher education qualification.

Higher Education

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what projections he has made of the proportion of 18 to 30-year-olds who will experience higher education courses in each year until 2010.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 31 October 2002
	A wide range of alternative scenarios, based on different assumptions about the future impact of current policies on demand for higher education are being considered. At this stage we are confident that there will be sufficient growth in demand from young people with the appropriate entry qualifications for higher education to enable us to reach the 50 per cent. target. Provisional figures suggesting a 2 per cent. increase in the number of home domiciled UCAS accepted applications this autumn to UK higher education institutions, shows we are continuing to make progress.

Higher Education

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what evidence the Government collated on the impact of introducing top-up fees for students on access to higher education, with special reference to foreign examples;
	(2)  how she plans to consult students on the review of higher education.

Margaret Hodge: We will publish a strategy document in January setting out our vision for the development and reform of higher education, including the outcome of the student support review. As part of the review we are considering a wide range of evidence but we clearly cannot pre-empt the strategy document at this stage. Information on how interested parties can respond to the document will be made available when it is published.

Schools (Essex)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will adopt policies to ensure that no schools in Essex suffer a cash budget cut in the next financial year.

David Miliband: In introducing the new system of LEA funding for 2003–04, we will implement the pledge that no local education authority will lose out in real terms in 2003–04. The Education Act 2002 incorporates a reserve power that allows the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to set a minimum budget for an authority's schools, if the budget proposed by an authority is seriously inadequate. Changes in the funding of individual schools depend very largely on changes in their pupil numbers. It is open to LEAs, if they wish, to include factors in their school funding formulae which have the effect of protecting individual schools from excessive year-to year reductions in their budget shares.

Pupil Spending

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what (a) the actual revenue spending per child at (i) primary and (ii) secondary level and (b) the standard spending assessments were in each local education authority in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: Net current expenditure per child is available for years up to 2000–01, so the last five years' figures are from 1996–97 to 2000–01. Standard Spending Assessments are available up to 2002–03, so figures are provided from 1996–97 to 2002–03. This information is contained in tables which have been placed in the Library. The figures are shown by local education authority area and are in cash and real terms.

Pupil Referral Units

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils were educated in pupil referral units, and for how many hours on average per week, in (a) the London Borough of Enfield, (b) Greater London and (c) England and Wales in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The available information is shown in the following table.
	
		Pupil Referral Units: Number of Pupils on Roll -- 1998 to 2002Position in January each year.
		
			  1998  1999 2000 
			  Number of Solely Registered Pupils(4) Number of Dually Registered Pupils(4) Number of Pupils also registered with Other Providers(5) Number of Solely Registered Pupils(4) Number of Dually Registered Pupils(4) Number of Pupils also registered with Other Providers(5) Number of Solely Registered Pupils(4) Number of Dually Registered Pupils(4) Number of Pupils also registered with Other Providers(5) 
		
		
			 England 7,740 4,166  8,263 4,202  6,986 4,586 1,493 
			 London 2,005 662  2,195 628  1,740 863 236 
			 Outer London 999 304  1,026 335  807 423 114 
			 Enfield LEA 115 3  110 30  105 36 0 
		
	
	
		
			  2001 2002 
			  Number of Solely Registered Pupils(4) Number of Dually Registered Pupils(4) Number of Pupils also registered with Other Providers(5) Number of Solely Registered Pupils(4) Number of Dually Registered Pupils(4) Number of Pupils also registered with Other Providers(5) 
		
		
			 England 7,308 4,993 1,981 7,614 4,968 2,342 
			 London 1,895 751 243 2,063 607 288 
			 Outer London 783 387 183 933 306 187 
			 Enfield LEA 85 25 10 117 14 15 
		
	
	Notes:
	(4) Solely registered pupils are those pupils who are only on a Pupil Referral Unit's register. Dually registered pupils are those pupils who are on a Pupil Referral Unit's register and on another school's register.
	(5) Other providers are FE colleges or a voluntary provider
	Not available. This information was not collected prior to 2000.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census
	Information is collected on the average amount of contact time which is spent by pupils of different ages in Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) in a typical week. As the contact times are recorded in bands, the data cannot be readily averaged or aggregated. Nevertheless, the figures indicate that between 40–45 per cent. of the 312 PRUs nationally reported average contact time for solely registered pupils of 20 hours or more per week. Of the 47 PRUs in London, over 50 per cent. had average contact times with pupils of 20 hours or more per week. The 2 PRUs in Enfield LEA generally had average contact time with pupils of between 13 and 19 hours per week.
	Equivalent contact times for dually registered pupils will generally be less than those for solely registered pupils.
	The pupils in PRUs have varying needs and are enrolled there for a variety of reasons and this will include pupils who have been permanently excluded. From September 2002 all LEAs are required to provide full time education for all permanently excluded pupils.
	I refer the hon. Member to the Welsh Assembly for information on pupils in Wales.

PRIME MINISTER

Focus Group Research

Graham Allen: To ask the Prime Minister what use he and his Department has made of focus group research since June 2001; if he will identify for each research project the topics covered, the person or organisation carrying out the research, and the total cost; and if he will publish the research on his Department's website.

Tony Blair: My office has not commissioned any focus group research since June 2001.

E-Mail

Sue Doughty: To ask the Prime Minister what e-mail address members of the public may use to contact him.

Tony Blair: At present there is no e-mail address by which members of the public can contact me. However an address will be made available in the new year.

Policy Advisers

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the protocols covering discussions between policy advisers in 10 Downing Street and ministers;
	(2)  Under what circumstances policy advisers within 10 Downing Street are able to direct (a) Ministers and (b) officials within other Departments.

Tony Blair: Discussions between policy advisers in 10 Downing Street and Ministers and civil servants in other Departments are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
	Policy advisers do not have powers of direction.

Iraq

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with President Chirac and Chancellor Schroeder on military invasion of Iraq without fresh UN authorisation.

Tony Blair: I regularly discuss Iraq with my EU colleagues, most recently during the European Council at Brussels on 24–25 October. I reported the outcome to the House in my statement of 28 October 2002.

Deaths (Soldiers)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Prime Minister, if he will call an independent public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of soldiers in army barracks in the UK since 1990.

Tony Blair: It would be inappropriate to undertake any such inquiry whilst the current police investigations into the deaths at Deepcut continue. In the meantime, I am fully aware of the concerns that have been raised about the circumstances surrounding the deaths of soldiers in Army barracks in the United Kingdom.
	There are a number of issues being taken forward by the Ministry of Defence in response to the concerns that have been raised about deaths of soldiers in army barracks in the UK. This work includes an appraisal of initial training of non-Officer recruits in all three services. The Defence Committee has also indicated its intention to conduct an inquiry into the general conditions at Deepcut. Following the conclusion of the police investigations into the deaths at Deepcut, the Army will also convene internal Boards of Inquiry into the deaths of Privates Geoff Gray and James Collinson.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Fire Services

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many fire appliances dedicated for training purposes there are in England and Wales, broken down by (a) fire brigade area and (b) local authority.

Christopher Leslie: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold information centrally on the number of fire appliances dedicated for training purposes; however, this information is published by The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) who provide a statistical information service. The information can be found broken down by fire authority, but not fire brigade, at page 10 of their publication entitled Fire Service Statistics 2001 (SIS reference 01.02). A copy is available in the Libraries of the House.

Fire Services

Harry Cohen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many fire stations there are in North East London; how many fire engines are located in them; how many Green Goddesses would be expected to cover the area in the event of these fire engines not being deemed to be available due to a national strike of firefighters; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The London Fire Brigade has forty-one fire engines at twenty-six fire stations in the London Boroughs of Havering, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Newham, Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and Tower Hamlets.
	Emergency cover in Greater London is currently planned to consist of a number of elements including 90 Green Goddess crews, 20 breathing apparatus teams (BARTs), a rescue team equipped with specialist equipment (a REST) and the police. Of these, sixteen Green Goddesses and four BARTs would be located in the above boroughs, with a further seven Green Goddesses and two BARTs located just outside those boundaries.
	The provision of MoD emergency fire cover has been planned in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer to minimise call-out times and maximise the availability of a range of firefighting capabilities.
	The command and operational structure for emergency fire cover has been designed to enable maximum flexibility and use of available resources, whether from within a county or from assets deployed nearby in neighbouring counties. The deployment of firefighters will be based on the assessment of how best to respond to an emergency in the quickest time possible. The deployment will be kept under review.

Housing

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the level of empty (a) housing association and (b) council housing was in each local authority in England in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2001; and if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to reduce the level of empty housing association and council housing.

Tony McNulty: The information requested has been placed in the Library. The table presents data showing the vacancy rates of local authority and Registered Social Landlord stock (respectively) in each local authority in England at 1 April 1997 and 2001. Note that council stock owned by an authority, which is outside their local authority area, is not included in these figures.
	Day to day management, including the letting of empty properties, is a matter for individual housing associations and councils. We expect those with high levels of vacant housing to set challenging targets for reductions through improved management performance or action to improve or dispose of unpopular stock.

Housing

Candy Atherton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what evidence his Department has collated on the use of repeated applications for planning permission by companies and individuals in a specified location;
	(2)  what consideration has been given to the setting of time limits between applications for planning permission by companies and individuals in a specified location.

Tony McNulty: Local planning authorities already have the power to decline to determine a planning application which is the same or substantially the same as an application which, within the previous two years, the Secretary of State has called in and refused, or has dismissed on appeal.
	As announced in our Statement ''Sustainable Communities: Delivering through planning'' we intend to extend this power so that a local planning authority can also decline to determine an application which is the same or substantially the same as an application which has either been refused by the authority within the last two years and there has been no appeal to the Secretary of State, or has not been finally determined. The two year time limit was chosen since this is the same as that which applies to a local planning authority's existing powers to decline to determine repeated applications.
	The Planning Green Paper said that some developers use repeated applications to wear down opposition to undesirable development. This is damaging to people's confidence in the planning process and inefficient. Of those who responded to our proposal to extend local planning authorities' powers to decline to determine repeat applications, 97 per cent. were in favour.

Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many units of affordable housing have been built in the Portsmouth South constituency in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The only information available is for the local authority area of Portsmouth and for the last four years. The numbers of houses built by registered social landlords in Portsmouth were 279 in 1998–99, 37 in 1999–00, 95 in 2000–01 and 151 in 2001–02. There were no houses built by the local authority during this period.

Right to Buy

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what discussions Ministers and officials of his Department have held with members of the review team evaluating the Right to Buy scheme; what was discussed; when they were; and who the participants were;
	(2)  when the review of the right to buy scheme will be published;
	(3)  what the estimated cost is of the evaluation of the right to buy scheme being undertaken by the review team;
	(4)  if he will publish the (a) names and (b) qualifications of the review team undertaking the evaluation of the right to buy scheme.

Tony McNulty: Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have been commissioned to investigate the scale, nature and impact of exploitation of the Right to Buy rules.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister research contracts are awarded through a standard procurement process, by competitive tender. The experience and skills of tenderers are assessed carefully as part of this process. This research project is subject to normal project management procedures and disciplines operated by professional and policy officials. It is subject to review by a stakeholder group drawn from housing practitioners and representatives of lending institutions and local government.
	The cost of the project is #92,650, excluding VAT.
	The results are expected by the end of this year, and will be published thereafter. It is standard practice for all Office of the Deputy Prime Minister research publications to include the names of the authors, and for any other researchers to be acknowledged.

Urban Summit

John Gummer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many (a) Ministers, (b) Members of the other House taking the Labour Whip and (c) elected Labour councillors are (i) speaking and (ii) chairing themed discussions at the Urban Summit.

Tony McNulty: In total about 150 people contributed to the Urban Summit as speakers, chairs or pannellists. There were 13 Ministers (including 3 members of the other House), 7 elected Labour Councillors (including one member of the other House) and one further member of the other House taking the Labour Whip speaking at the Urban Summit, either at plenary sessions or in themed sessions. One Minister chaired a themed session, another was chaired by a member from the other House taking the Labour whip and a third by an elected Labour Councillor.

Urban Summit

John Gummer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many of the advertised (a) speakers and (b) chairmen of the themed sessions of the Urban Summit come from the private sector and are not members of Government-appointed public bodies.

Tony McNulty: More than 23 speakers, including plenary session speakers and panellists, and 3 chairs of the themed sessions came from the private sector. Information on how many of these are members of any Government appointed bodies is not readily available.

Urban Summit

John Gummer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he plans to take to disseminate the results of the Urban Summit to (a) hon. Members, (b) councillors and (c) Members of the other House belonging to the (i) Conservative and (ii) Liberal Democrat parties.

Tony McNulty: The results of the Urban Summit will be disseminated in a variety of ways. In particular, the messages and ideas coming from the Summit are to be fed into the development of the long term plan for sustainable communities which the Deputy Prime Minister will be presenting to the House in January 2003. A report of the proceedings of the Summit will be deposited in the House of Commons library. More generally, information on the outcomes from the debate and discussion at the Summit will be posted on the Urban Summit website, www.urbansummit.gov.uk.

Urban Summit

Bob Laxton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the SSA is, for each local authority in England (a) by service block and (b) in total for 2002–03; what these figures would be if 2001 census data had been substituted for mid-year 2000 population estimates; and what the difference is between the two sets of figures expressed (i) in #s and (ii) as a percentage of 2002–03 SSAs (A) for the relevant service block and (B) in total.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House. The 2001 census population data have been used, as requested, rather than the mid-2001 population estimates which we intend to use to calculate the 2003–04 Formula Spending Shares (FSSs).

Urban Summit

John Gummer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many of the speakers and chairmen of the themed seminars of the Urban Summit are members of the (a) Conservative, (b) Liberal Democrat and (c) Labour parties.

Tony McNulty: Speakers and chairs were invited to take part in the summit on the basis of the contribution they could make. The choice of speakers for each themed session was made in consultation with the chair of that session. We hold no information—other than for those where it is clear eg MPs, Councillors—about their membership of any political parties.

Urban Summit

John Gummer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many of the advertised (a) speakers and (b) chairmen of the themed sessions are (i) Conservatives and (ii) Liberal Democrat local councillors.

Tony McNulty: One of the speakers at a themed session was a Conservative Councillor. From the information available none of the speakers were Liberal Democrat Councillors. None of the chairs of the themed sessions were Conservative or Liberal Democrat Councillors.

Transport

Theresa May: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the transport implications of his oral statement of 18 July.

John Prescott: I made clear in my statement on 18 July that the strategy I announced for sustainable communities would link policies on housing, planning, transport, education, health and regeneration. I will be having discussions with all relevant colleagues as I prepare the Communities plan.

Renewable Energy

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 28 October 2002, Official Report, column 522W, on renewable energy, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Parliament about its revised planning guidance on renewable energy; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: We are currently preparing the revised draft planning guidance on renewable energy (PPS 22). In doing so, we have been in discussion with a number of interested parties including the Scottish Executive. There will be further consultation, and discussions will continue ahead of issuing the draft guidance at the turn of the year for public consultation.

Green Belt

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many applications have been (a) received and (b) approved for development on Green Belt land since 1997, broken down by region; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Applications for planning permission are considered by local planning authorities in the first instance. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Green Belt

Llew Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) of 17 October 2002, Official Report, column 926, on the green belt, if he will list the locations and number of hectares respectively of new green belt land earmarked since June 1997.

Tony McNulty: Since June 1997 new Green Belt has been earmarked in Development Plans in the following locations:
	
		
			  Hectares 
		
		
			 Stockport 8 
			 Basildon 340 
			 North Hertfordshire 3600 
			 Dacorum 1000 
			 North Tyneside 1672 
			 Blyth Valley 2800 
			 Tynedale 7300 
			 Castle Morpeth 200 
			 Gateshead 1500 
			 Sunderland 520 
			 Co Durham 12000 
			  
			  30940 Removals from the Green Belt are: 
			 Newcastle 543 
			 Bradford 90 
			  633 
			  
			 Total addition 30307

Planning Guidance

Gary Streeter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what advice he gives local authorities and planning inspectors on how they should define whether a proposed development close to the edge of an existing conurbation is (a) an urban extension or (b) a new settlement.

Tony McNulty: The Government's planning policies for housing are set out in PPG3 (Planning Policy Guidance note 3, Housing). PPG3 explains that planned extensions to existing urban areas are likely to prove the next most sustainable option for new housing development after building on appropriate sites within urban areas, and that new settlements can be large-scale additions to existing settlements or freestanding. PPG3 does not define urban extension or new settlement in any further detail.
	The characteristics of alternative forms of new development are discussed in the 1993 Department of Environment research report Alternative Development Patterns: new settlements. Urban extensions are described as development that takes place at the edges of existing urban areas, and new settlements as urban growth that is accommodated by a new focus for development that is freestanding.

Seller's Pack

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the introduction of the Seller's Pack.

Tony McNulty: We are committed to making it easier for people buying and selling homes through the introduction of a seller's pack, and the necessary legislation will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time allows. The seller's pack will make the home buying and selling process more transparent and certain, and so reduce the stress and wasted costs suffered by hundreds of thousands of consumers each year when transactions fail or are delayed.

Right to Buy

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the evidence on which he based his statement that the right-to-buy scheme is being abused; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Anecdotal evidence from various sources, including local authorities and media advertisements, strongly suggested that the right to buy rules were being exploited in some areas. Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have been commissioned to investigate the scale, nature and impact of such exploitation. The results are expected by the end of this year, and will be published thereafter. The difficulties experienced on the Ocean Estate in Stepney, East London, are well documented.

Council House Stock

Anthony Steen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the local housing authorities who have transferred council house stock amounting to fewer than 499 properties to a single alternative social landlord since 1988, and state in each case (a) the grant from Government to write off debt, (b) the total cost to the local authority in professional fees, (c) other relevant costs of the transfer and (d) the capital receipt.

Tony McNulty: No payments have been made by the Office of Deputy Prime Minister, or its predecessor Departments, since arrangements were put in place in 1999 toward repaying local authority housing attributable debt on transfers of fewer than 499 dwellings. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not keep a record of local authorities who have transferred fewer than 499 properties to registered social landlords, the cost to the local authority of professional fees, other relevant transfer costs or capital receipts in such transfers.

Housing Authorities

Anthony Steen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many local housing authorities have applied for a place on the LSVT programme for each year since 1993; and how many were successful.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister record the number of local housing authorities who are accepted onto the Large Scale Voluntary Transfers disposals programme each year. The information for the years in question is set out in the table below.
	
		
			 Year of Programme Number of Local Authorities Successfully Gaining a Place 
		
		
			 1993 13 
			 1994 12 
			 1995 11 
			 1996 5 
			 1997 17 
			 1998 23 
			 1999 25 
			 2000 22 
			 2001 27(6) 
			 2002 20(7) 
		
	
	Notes:
	(6)Between 1993 and 2000 the duration of each transfer programme was one year. This period was extended to 2 years from 2001.
	(7)There are 5 more authorities who have a place on the disposals programme held open for them while their schemes are further developed.

Valuation Tribunals

Hugo Swire: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to increase the powers of authority of the tribunal chairman and clerk to obtain facts and information in order to increase the parity between the appellant and the Valuation Office Agency in disputes.

Christopher Leslie: There are no plans to increase the powers of authority of valuation tribunal chairmen and clerks. Tribunals already have wide ranging powers to conduct hearings in such a manner as to ensure just handling and to adjourn hearings to enable relevant information or facts to be provided.

Government Office for London

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the annual expenditure of the Government Office for London was; how many full time employees or equivalent there were in each year since its establishment; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Roche: Government Office for London (GOL) Running Costs expenditure is as follows (#m):
	
		
			  
		
		
			 1996–97 14.1 
			 1997–98 13.5 
			 1998–99 16.0 
			 1999–2000 16.0 
			 2000–01 13.2 
			 2001–02 13.2 
		
	
	No staffing figures are available prior to 1999. Approximate full time equivalent posts from April 1999 are as follows:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 April 1999 390 
			 April 2000 370 
			 April 2001 240 
			 April 2002 260 
		
	
	The number has subsequently risen to approximately 295, chiefly due to the transfer to GOL from the Home Office of 19 crime reduction staff (in June 2002) and 10 Drug Prevention Advisory Service staff (on 1 October).

''Your Region, Your Choice''

Nigel Evans: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost to the taxpayer was of producing the North West Regional Assembly publication, ''Your Region, Your Choice-Revitalising English Regions''; and how many copies were printed.

Nick Raynsford: This document was produced by the North West Regional Assembly as a response to the Government's White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice; Revitalising the English Regions. The publication and its content and costs are a matter for the Assembly.

HEALTH

Faith Communities

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list projects involving faith communities which are supported by his Department.

Hazel Blears: The Department recognises the diverse health needs within communities and the key role played by faith organisations, supporting National Health Service and social care organisations, to improve the health and well-being of local people. The Department's central funding should be viewed as complimentary to additional funding by local NHS and social care organisations working with local faith communities.
	The Department's main funding support to voluntary / not for profit organisations is the Section 64 General Scheme under the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968.
	Additionally there are smaller budgets managed by policy teams within the Department which are used to develop initiatives to improve access to healthcare, for example working through faith communities with black and minority ethnic groups on priority areas such as coronary heart disease, mental illness and cancer.
	Grants Awarded, in the information provided, represents the amount of funding made available from 2002–3 onwards. The grant awarded will reflect, in some cases, the final year of a funding phase a three year funding ending in 2002–3.
	
		Grants Awarded through Section 64 General Grants Scheme
		
			 Organisation Purpose of funding Grant Awarded 
		
		
			 Muslim Khatri Association To take forward the Department of Health's cancer and coronary heart disease prevention campaign by undertaking community education and health development activities in the Highfields area. #102,000 
			 Arab Women's Group (Muslim 
			 organisation) To organise road shows within Arab catchment areas in Britain including community centres, Places of worship to provide information in Arabic on health, legal and welfare issues targeted at the Arab community. #72,000 
			 Muslim Doctors and Dentists 
			 Association To promote healthy living in minority ethnic community centres run by the Muslim Doctors and Dentists Association specialists by organising seminars and producing leaflets. #87,000 
			 Jewish Care The Mental Health Outreach Project was originally piloted by Jewish Care in 2001. Support is tailored to the individual needs of service users and in line with the aims of the NSF. The team work to encourage and empower service users, to combat discrimination and to promote social inclusion both nationally and within the context of Jewish tradition and culture. The pilot has been successful and a waiting list now exists particularly as outreach targets people who are hard to engage. #121,000 
			 Asian Family Counselling Service The Naya Rasta—''New Hope'' project aim is to reduce the dependence of depressed Asian men and women on anti depressants. The project aims to offer clients one-to-one counselling as well as being part of a self-help group. #105,000 
			 AIDS Care Education and 
			 Training (ACET) ACET's aim is to deliver prevention initiatives through a programme of sexual health education, and training for those who are working for and with young people. #154,000 
			 The CARA Trust The Trust provides pastoral care for people affected by HIV/AIDS; their relatives and friends; professional and voluntary carers. #71,000 
			 Jewish AIDS Trust Jewish AIDS Trust (JAT) provides culturally and religiously sensitive HIV and sexual health education/prevention programmes to a wide range of Jewish organisations. JAT is the only agency in the UK targeting this particular minority ethnic community. #25,000 
			 Mildmay Mission Hospital Mildmay is the UK's only specialist provider of HIV/AIDS palliative care services offering an integrated package of residential and day care services to people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. #420,000 
		
	
	
		Projects funded through Vote 2 (Improving access to health services for black and minority ethnic groups)
		
			 Organisation Purpose of Funding Amount of Grant 
		
		
			 Network of Sikh Organisations To promote work on the prevention of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer through seminars with health professionals and the Sikh community and to develop newsletter in Punjabi/English to promote health messages to the Sikh community #107,000 
			 National Council of Hindu 
			 Temples To work nationally with Hindu Temples to provide advice and information on health issues such as coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes, mental illness for the Hindu community. #110,000 
			 London Central Mosque Trust 
			 and Islamic Cultural Centre To take forward the Department of Health's smoking cessation campaign especially during the times of the Ramadan and Eid. Also to help coordinate and establish links between health service providers and the local Muslim organisations. #110,400 
			 The Swaminarayan Hindu 
			 Temple To fund the post of an outreach health worker to undertake health promotion and education among the Hindu community in relation to coronary heart disease, stroke, screening etc. This includes the preparation of tobacco education audio-visual and printed materials for the worshipers #85,000 
			 Mauritian Islamic Welfare 
			 Association To develop a training pack to improve the speech and language development of minority ethnic children and to undertake health promotion and screening programme aimed at the Asian community #121,000 
			 Muslim Cultural Heritage To set up a healthy living lifestyle project including smoking cessation among the local Muslim population #49,055 
			 The Muslim Council of Britain Set up a smoking cessation clinic and promote the clinic through community events. #25,000 
			 Agan Khan Health Board (The 
			 Ismaili Centre) A Muslim 
			 Organisation To produce a video resource and handbook promoting awareness on diet relating to coronary heart disease and diabetes within the Asian community #40,000

Growth Hormone Deficiency

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to deal with medical problems associated with growth hormone deficiency.

Jacqui Smith: Clinicians are currently able to prescribe growth hormone, also known as somatropin, to patients with growth hormone deficiency.
	The National Institute of Clinical Excellence did recommend the use of growth hormone in children earlier this year. It is currently appraising the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of human growth hormone in adults. There was an appeal against their 20 August 2002 final appraisal determination. This appeal has been partially upheld. Further work will be done in this area with a final decision expected early in the new year.

Oxygen Therapy

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many users of oxygen therapy there are in Huntingdonshire.

Hazel Blears: The number of users of oxygen therapy is not available centrally.

Breast Cancer

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent representations he has received on the availability of taxanes; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much was spent on taxanes for breast cancer for the most recent financial year available, broken down by (a) health authority and (b) health trusts; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of women benefiting from treatment for breast cancer (a) before and (b) after publication of the most recent NICE guidance; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) published its review of taxanes (docetaxel and paclitaxel) for the treatment of breast cancer in September 2001.
	There have been no recent representations on the availability of taxanes.
	All health authorities have confirmed that they are implementing the NICE appraisals. However, the Department does not hold central data on the number of patients treated with a particular drug or on the amount spent on individual drugs. NICE estimate the additional cost to the National Health Service of implementing the guidance on taxanes to be around #16 million per annum for England and Wales and that around 5,000 women are likely to benefit from the guidance.

Hospital Staffing Levels

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on staffing levels at Oldchurch Hospital, Romford.

John Hutton: The annual workforce censuses do not provide information for individual trusts. Oldchurch hospital is part of Barking, Havering and Redbridge National Health Service Trust, which was formed in April 2001. There is therefore no comparable historical information.
	The Department's vacancy survey collected information for the whole trust as at 30 March 2002. The trust has been ensuring that the impact of vacancies on the quality of care provided to its patients is minimised by being one of the first trusts in London to use the NHS Professionals service. NHS Professionals is a NHS temporary staffing service aimed at reducing reliance on expensive nursing agencies. The trust is also very active in pursuing the Improving Working Lives initiative. A steering group, with cross-trust representation, including staff-side, has been meeting since April to take forward the Improving Working Lives action plan, aimed at achieving practice status early in 2003.

Criminal Records Bureau Checks

Annette Brooke: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what provision is being made for local authorities incurring additional costs from hiring agency staff whilst waiting for checks to be completed by the Criminal Records Bureau on permanent care workers.

Jacqui Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The National Care Standards Commission has issued guidance about taking on staff while a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check is being undertaken.
	Before they could work in a care setting, agency staff would themselves need to undergo CRB checks. For example, under the Care Standards Act, there is an obligation to ensure a criminal records check has been obtained from the CRB in relation to all people beginning work at a care home for adults who have regular contact with the residents of the home. This includes volunteers and agency staff.

GP Training

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to improve the training provision for GPs in relation to audiology and other ear, nose and throat services.

John Hutton: The Government are investing significantly in training provision in the National Health Service for all staff including general practitioners (GPs). The Department and the Royal College of General Practitioners are working together to develop guidelines for the appointment of GPs with special interests. A specific guideline for the appointment of a GPs with special interests in ear, nose & throat will be published shortly. Any training implications of this will be determined locally and will depend on local service needs, national priorities and the needs of individual GPs.

Placements (Vulnerable Children)

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what proportion of the cost of specialist residential placements for vulnerable children was contributed by health authorities in (a) Dorset, (b) Somerset and (c) Hampshire in (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02;
	(2)  what guidance the Department gives to health authorities in England on the criteria to use when deciding how much to contribute towards the cost of specialist residential placements for vulnerable children.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has not issued guidance to the National Health Service on the cost of specialist residential placements for vulnerable children. Such funding is a matter for local determination.
	The information requested for Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire is not held centrally.

Splints

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the prevalence of the free supply of splints to disabled people on the NHS (a) nationally and (b) in Gloucestershire.

Jacqui Smith: Figures are not collected centrally on the numbers of orthotic devices which are supplied through the National Health Service.

Child Protection

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the recommended thresholds for (a) providing child protection services, (b) instigating child protection inquiries and (c) convening initial child protection conferences are.

Jacqui Smith: Where a child is suspected to be suffering, or likely to suffer significant harm, local authority social services departments are required by section 47 of the Children Act 1989 to make enquiries, to enable the local authority to decide whether it should take any action to safeguard or promote the child's welfare.
	Where, following the outcome of section 47 enquiries, the agencies most involved judge that a child may continue to suffer, or to be at risk of suffering significant harm, the social services department should convene an initial child protection conference. The aim of the conference is to enable those professionals most involved with the child and family to assess all relevant information; to make judgements about the likelihood of a child suffering significant harm in future; and to decide what future action is needed to safeguard the child and promote his or her welfare, how that action will be taken forward, and with what intended outcomes.
	If a decision is taken that the child is at continuing risk of significant harm, his or her name will be placed on the child protection register, and it will therefore be the case that safeguarding the child requires inter-agency help and intervention delivered through a formal child protection plan. It is also the role of the conference to formulate the outline child protection plan, in as much detail as possible.
	A child's name may not be placed on the register, but he or she may nonetheless be in need of help to promote his or her health or development. In these circumstances, the conference should ensure that arrangements are in place to consider with the family, what further help and support might be offered.

Child Protection

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the Chief Inspector of Social Services does not publish an annual report into how well children are being protected from harm.

Jacqui Smith: The Chief Inspector of Social Services produces an annual report to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State on the general state of social services. This report includes a section on children's services.
	The Chief Inspector also produces national reports, covering a five yearly rolling programme of in depth inspections of councils' children's services.
	In addition, last Winter the social services inspectorate (SSI) led the first of an ongoing series of three yearly major inter-agency inspections of safeguards for children. The SSI designed and co-ordinated this inspection, which took place in eight local authority areas, working with the seven other statutory inspectorates who are involved with services to children and families—OFSTED, the HM Inspectorates for Prisons, Probation, Constabulary, Magistrates' Courts Services and the Crown Prosecution Service, and the Commission for Health Improvement—to look at how well local services ensure the safeguarding of children and how well they work in partnership to address child welfare concerns. The SSI drafted the report of the inspection and published it on 14 October 2002.

Child Protection

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of children on child protection registers do not have allocated social workers.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not held centrally. However, it is of interest that all children on the child protection register in the councils visited during last winter's children's safeguards inspections had an allocated social worker.

Child Protection

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children at residential and boarding schools are on child protection registers.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not held centrally.

Child Protection

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to (a) establish multi-agency safeguarding teams including social workers, health professionals, police and other child professionals, (b) strengthen area child protection committees by increasing their resources and (c) establish a child safeguarding board to provide greater protection for children.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 5 November 2002
	Area child protection committee (ACPC) expenditure and administrative policy support is a matter for local agreement. As a multi-agency forum, the ACPC should be supported in its work by its main constituent agencies, reflecting the investment of each agency in activities which are of benefit to all, in particular inter-agency training.
	The Joint Chief Inspectors' report Safeguarding Children, published on 14 October 2002, contains a recommendation that the Department should review the current arrangements for ACPCs to determine whether they should be established on a statutory basis to ensure adequate accountability, authority and funding.
	The Government has welcomed the publication of this report. The Government recognises that there is still more to be done to ensure that the high standards of child protection are applied in every case. That is why it commissioned the Joint Chief Inspectors' report. It is also why my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Health and the Home Secretary set up the statutory Inquiry, chaired by Lord Laming, into the circumstances leading up to, and surrounding, the death of Victoria Climbié. The issues raised by Victoria's case are wide-ranging, in terms of both policy and practice, and it is therefore important that we do not do anything that would pre-empt the outcome of the Inquiry. The recommendations of the Joint Chief Inspectors' report and those of the Victoria Climbié Inquiry will provide us with an authoritative basis for any reforms to child protection that may need to be made, and if radical reform is necessary we will implement it. The Government will respond to both reports after it has carefully considered them.

Suicides

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many suicides have occurred in accident and emergency departments in each of the past five years.

Jacqui Smith: Information is not collected centrally on the number of suicides in accident and emergency departments.

Children's Rights

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, who the Children's Rights Director is.

Jacqui Smith: The first ever Children's Rights Director for England is Dr. Roger Morgan.
	The role of the Children's Rights Director, located within the National Care Standards Commission, was established by the Care Standards Act 2000. The primary role is to safeguard those children who are in receipt of a range of regulated services. These services include those provided by children's homes, independent fostering agencies, local authority fostering services, the welfare aspects of boarding schools and, in due course, residential family centres, voluntary adoption agencies and local authority adoption services.
	Regulations specifying the Children's Rights Director's functions commenced on 24 May 2002 and were debated in Standing Committee on Thursday 4 July 2002.

Suicide Reduction

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made in meeting the Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation target on suicide reduction.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Worthing, West on 18 June 2002, Official Report, column 148–149.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children were waiting to be referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in each quarter in the last two years.

Jacqui Smith: Information is not collected centrally in this form.

Social Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason social services departments are not always contactable by accident and emergency departments during the evenings.

Jacqui Smith: It is the responsibility of local authorities to make sure that they have proper systems for responding to emergencies when they arise.
	The White Paper, Modernising Social Services, reminded local authorities of the need to ''provide reliable and sufficient out of hours services''. In October 1999 the social services inspectorate published a report of its inspection of social services out of hours services entitled Open All Hours. The report encouraged social services managers to review their out of hours provision and contained guidance on providing out of hours services.

Spanish Nurses

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many Spanish nurses have worked in the NHS in each of the last three years in (a) the UK, (b) Lancashire and (c) the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust;
	(2)  how many Spanish nurses are working in the NHS in (a) the UK, (b) Lancashire and (c) the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust.

John Hutton: Over the last two years, the Department has been working closely with the Ministrio de Sanidad y Consumo—the Spanish Ministry of Health—to give Spanish nurses the opportunity to come and work in England.
	Between January 2001 and October 2002, 508 Spanish nurses have taken up positions as a result of this government to government initiative. We do not routinely collect information about overall numbers of international recruits into the National Health Service, including those from Spain
	Lancashire organisations that have participated in the recruitment are Trafford General Hospital NHS Trust, Stockport NHS Trust and Trafford Acute NHS Trust. The Department does not have information on numbers currently working in NHS hospitals.

NHS Running Costs

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total running costs of NHS organisations serving (a) the Vale of York constituency and (b) North Yorkshire were in 1997; and what the total is now.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is shown in the table:
	
		
			 NHS Organisation 1997 (#m) 2002–2003 (#m) 
		
		
			  
			 North Yorkshire Health Authority 5.9 N/A 
			 North & East Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire Health Authority N/A 4.0 
			 Harrogate Health Care NHS Trust 3.164 3.558 
			 Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust 3.441 3.816 
			 York Health Services NHS Trust 5.273 5.0 
			 Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust N/A 1.890 
			 Craven, Harrogate and Rural District Primary Care Trust N/A 1.980 
			 Selby and York Primary Care Trust N/A 4.320 
			 Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust N/A 2.225 
			 Total 17.778 26.789 
		
	
	Sources:
	North & East Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire Heath Authority.
	The 2002–2003 costs relate to anticipated expenditure at 31 March.
	Any comparisons between 1997 and 2002 would be influenced by inflation and the transfer of Trust management costs into PCTs where services have transferred, e.g. community and mental health services.
	In addition, following the changes resulting from shifting the balance of power, the North & East Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire Health Authority (HA) covers a much wider geographic area than the former North Yorkshire HA. Many of its functions have been devolved from the former regional office of the Department.

EU Working Time Directive

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of extending the Working Time Directive to junior doctors (a) for medical workforce planning and (b) on their training; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The impact of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) has been taken into account with the planned expansion in the consultant workforce. The NHS Plan makes a commitment to 1,000 more specialist registrars by 2004. In addition, we have introduced a ''floors and ceilings'' flexibility to allow the National Health Service with an initial ceiling of an additional 540 posts for the period of 2002–2004 and this will reviewed later this year.
	Many solutions to achieve EWTD compliance for junior doctors will involve other professions. Large increases in the nursing workforce and allied health professions have already been achieved and there is a commitment to maintain these levels of growth. These increases in the non-medical workforce will support the development of the non-medical practitioner roles required. The main impact of these practitioners will be in reducing the need to cover at senior house officer level.
	It will be inevitable that the changes needed to achieve EWTD compliance will significantly affect the working patterns of doctors in training and also change the traditional one-to-one relationship between a training grade doctor and their consultant.
	The Department is currently undertaking a consultation exercise on the Chief Medical Officer's report Unfinished Business: Proposals for reform of the Senior House Officer grade. The report provides proposals for reform of postgraduate medical training, taking into account that proposed reform would be introduced at the same time as implementation of the EWTD. The report argues that the EWTD and training reform are mutually dependent—the EWTD will require reform in training, which in turn can support implementation of the Directive.
	A key proposal in Unfinished Business is that new and shorter higher specialist training programmes should be introduced which would lead to the award of an earlier certificate of completion of specialist training (CCST) for those satisfactorily completing training in the ''generalist'' elements of a specialty. This would have the effect increasing the flow of trained doctors.
	The Department will be working with the Deans and the Royal Colleges to ensure that NHS trusts are supported in delivering training with good advice on training models and as a first step the Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMED) has produced a document Liberating Learning. This sets out approaches to providing training in the EWTD context.

EU Working Time Directive

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the British Medical Association concerning derogations for junior doctors from the Working Time Directive; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The Department of Health and the health departments of the devolved administrations have, on several occasions over the past year, held discussions with the British Medical Association junior doctors' committee about derogations for junior doctors from the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). Discussions came to a halt in July as the two sides did not reach a collective agreement on derogation. The Government intends to derogate for junior doctors from the EWTD by amending the 1998 Working Time Regulations.

Care Homes

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many care home places are available in the London Borough of Hillingdon; what percentage change this represents on figures for each of the last three years; and what the forecast is for care home places for the coming year.

Jacqui Smith: The number of residential and nursing care home places in Hillingdon is shown in the table at 31 March for the years 1999 to 2001. Data for 2002 is not yet available.
	Forecasts of the number of care home places are not made.
	
		Number of Residential and Nursing Care Home Places in Hillingdon at 31 March, 1999 to 2001
		
			 As at 31 March Residential Nursing Total Change Over Previous Year (%) 
		
		
			 1999 820 460 1,270 — 
			 2000 960 410 1,360 7% 
			 2001 920 490 1,400 3% 
		
	
	Note:
	1. Residential data refer to Hillingdon Local Authority; nursing data refer to Hillingdon Health Authority.

GP Recruitment

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to increase the number of GPs in the NHS.

John Hutton: A range of recruitment and retention initiatives are currently in place or being developed to help increase the number of general practitioners (GPs), including: international recruitment, promoting improving working lives initiative in primary care, the delayed retirement scheme, more flexible employment arrangements through personal medical services, the recently announced extension to the flexible careers scheme to include GPs and the golden hello scheme which will shortly be extended to include qualified doctors who are not currently working in National Health Service general practice who return to take up a NHS post.

GP Recruitment

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on progress made in GP recruitment in the last 12 months.

John Hutton: holding answer 4 November 2002
	Between 30 September 2000 and 30 September 2001, the number of general practitioners (GPs), including unrestricted principals and equivalents, restricted principals, assistants, GP registrars, salaried doctors (para. 52 SFA), personal medical services others and GP retainers working in the National Health Service increased by 466. A spring census was carried out on 31 March 2002, which shows a further increase of 176.
	The government has introduced and is developing a significant number of initiatives to boost the recruitment and retention of GPs. These include golden hellos to new and returning GPs, delayed retirement payments, flexible career scheme, extension of the improving working lives initiative to primary care and international recruitment.

Competition Commission

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the long-term implications of public spending of the recent judgment on Bettercare by the Competition Commission.

Jacqui Smith: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 30 October 2002.

Learning Difficulties

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children in Surrey aged (a) 0 to five, (b) five to 11, (c) 11 to 16 and (d) 16 to 18 years have been diagnosed as having (i) severe learning difficulties and (ii) moderate learning difficulties at the latest date for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not collected centrally.

Fragile-X Syndrome

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children aged (a) 0 to five, (b) five to 11, (c) 11 to 16 and (d) 16 to 18 years have been diagnosed with fragile-X syndrome at the latest date for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not collected centrally. Studies have indicated that fragile-X syndrome has an incidence of about 1:4,500 in males and 1:8,000 in females.

Community Equipment Services

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional resources have been allocated in this financial year for community equipment services; and how this has been allocated.

Jacqui Smith: In this financial year #28 million was allocated to health authorities to help them to meet the NHS Plan targets for community equipment services. That funding has now been distributed to primary care trusts. In addition, funding was allocated to local councils for the same purpose via the personal social services settlement. For both sets of organisations the funding was apportioned and distributed as part of their baseline funding allocations.

Nurse Retention

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what determinants of job satisfaction are employed in assessing nurse retention policies.

John Hutton: The Human Resources in the NHS Plan underpins all staff retention policies. It sets out how the National Health Service should become a model employer, that values its staff and improves their working life and how it should offer a model career that gives greater access to personal development underpinned by a fairer pay system. All of the measures contained in the Human Resources in the NHS Plan will help to improve the job satisfaction and morale of all of the staff employed in the NHS.

Asthma Deaths

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if his Department will ask primary care trusts to introduce enquiries into asthma deaths as a matter of course;
	(2)  what plans his Department has to introduce confidential enquiries into asthma deaths as a means of research into prevention and cure of this condition.

Jacqui Smith: There are currently no plans to require primary care trusts to introduce enquiries into asthma deaths or to extend the range of confidential enquiries to include asthma deaths.
	Management of asthma mainly takes place in primary care. The chronic disease management programme, introduced in July 1993, provides arrangements for health promotion under the general medical services national contract for general practitioners. People with asthma will also benefit from the emerging expert patients programme which will—via the National Health Service—provide training in self-management skills for people with long term chronic conditions.
	The Medical Research Council, which is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, funds medical research as part of the Government's funding of the research base. The Department of Health spend on directly commissioned research projects on asthma since 1997 is an estimated #7.24 million.
	The number of deaths from asthma is gradually declining. The Office of National Statistics report that the International Classification of Disease, ICD9 493 (Asthma) recorded for England and Wales that in 1998 there were 1366 deaths caused by asthma and by 2000 that had fallen to 1272 deaths.

Barnet Hospital

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress on visiting times for accident and emergency services at Barnet Hospital.

John Hutton: Improving patients experience of emergency care is essential. In light of this, Reforming Emergency Care was launched in October 2001, supported by a #118 million investment. It sets a long term programme of reform supported by extra investment and new capacity to address one of the public's key concerns about the National Health Service—waiting in accident and emergency (A&E).
	A&E waiting times at Barnet General Hospital have improved steadily through the year from an average of only 45 per cent. of patients being seen within four hours in the quarter ending 30 June 2002 to over 70 per cent. being seen within four hours during October 2002.

Barnet Hospital

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to discontinue services provided at Barnet Hospital; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: There are no plans to discontinue services provided at Barnet hospital.

Quality Protects Programme

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress of the Quality Protects Programme.

Jacqui Smith: Quality Protects is the Government's five-year programme to ensure that children in need, including looked after children, receive the care, safety, security and chances in life that all children deserve. We are currently in the fourth year of the programme. It has been popular—with local government, with the voluntary sector and with children and young people themselves—and has led to new and improved services for children across the country.
	There is real evidence that it is beginning to improve children's lives. For example, since Quality Protects began we have seen:
	More corporate working across councils and greater understanding of councils' and councillors' role as ''corporate parents'';
	More partnership working with voluntary organisations;
	An increase in the proportion of children looked after placed for adoption—3,100 looked after children were adopted in England in the year to 31 March 2001, 12 per cent. more than in the previous year and 39 per cent. more than in 1998–99;
	Children in care experiencing fewer placements—16 per cent. of children now experience three or more placements in one year as opposed to 19 per cent. in 1997–98;
	A reduction in the number of re-registrations on the child protection register from 20 per cent. in 1997–98 to 14per cent. in 2000–2001;
	More support being given to care leavers;
	More councils listening to children and young people in their care;
	Improvements in the collecting and use of management information.
	We shall shortly be publishing an overview report of councils' fourth annual management action plans, which set out their progress in and future plans for implementing Quality Protects.

Social Workers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2002, Official Report, column 128W, on social workers, if he will provide the provisional recruitment and departure figures referred to.

Jacqui Smith: The number of individual applicants for social work training was 4703 in 2001. The provisional figure for 2002 is 5093.
	The 2002 figure is adjusted to an estimated full year figure based on the very small number of additional applications made after October in 2001.
	We do not collect centrally figures on retirements.

NHS Targets

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS staff are armed services reservists; and what (a) assessment he has made of the impact of call up connected to the war on terrorism on NHS services and (b) adjustments will be made to current year targets in the NHS.

John Hutton: The Department does not hold information centrally on the number of National Health Service staff who are armed service reservists. The Department reviews constantly its readiness to deal with demand on NHS services of this nature. The Department does not plan to make any adjustments to current year targets in the NHS.

Operations Costs

Gerry Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost of an in-patient operation on (a) the NHS and (b) a private hospital was in the last 12 months.

John Hutton: Information on the average cost of a wide range of treatments and procedures carried out in the National Health Service is included in the national schedule of reference costs. Reference costs for 2001–2002 were published on 1 November. They may be found at www.doh.gov.uk/nhsexec/refcosts.htm and a copy has been placed in the Library. The Department does not collect information on the average cost of operations carried out in private hospitals.

Bed Occupancy

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average bed occupancy rate was at Eastbourne District General Hospital in each of the last 24 months.

Hazel Blears: Figures on the average daily number of available and occupied beds for each National Health Service trust are published annually on the Department's website at http://www.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity. Data is not available on a monthly basis.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether local authorities will be given further provision to their social services budgets relating to asylum seekers' residential accommodation following the ruling on Westminster City Council v. National Asylum Support Service on 17th October.

Jacqui Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The Law Lords judgment on the Westminster City Council v. National Asylum Support Service appeal of 17 October 2002 upholds the decision of the Court of Appeal given on 10 April 2001. There are no plans to provide local councils with additional funding as a result of the judgement.

Abuse of Parents

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the numbers of children who physically abuse their parent or parents.

Jacqui Smith: Data on the number of incidences of adults abuse is not collected centrally.

Lifeline Equipment

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) , what assessment has been made of the cost of free provision of lifelines through the NHS;
	(2)  what financial assistance is available to older people for the purchase of lifelines through the NHS.

Jacqui Smith: Lifeline alarm systems are not normally purchased or provided by the National Health Service and no assessment has been made of the cost of doing so. ''Lifelines'' are 24-hour alarm services usually triggered by a call button in the room or worn around the neck. The equipment that supports them is frequently installed in residential or sheltered housing provided by local councils or registered social landlords. Depending on local eligibility criteria some landlords make a charge to residents to cover the ongoing cost of the equipment and specialist call centre.

Care Homes Staff

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications for care homes staff have been (a) received and (b) processed by the National Care Standards Commission in each month since April.

Jacqui Smith: The National Care Standards Commission exists to regulate and inspect social care and independent health care services. It has strong powers of enforcement to ensure that services meet the required standards. The Commission does not receive applications from care home staff.
	The processing by the Criminal Records Bureau of criminal records checks for staff in care homes is a matter for the Home Office.

Dentists

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to assist refugees with dental qualifications to practise in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: We are committed to enabling refugee dentists to access the training opportunities they need to succeed in the National Health Service. Over the last two years #1 million has been made available to various projects designed to help refugee health professionals, including dentists, prepare for work in the NHS, by providing English language and clinical skills training, along with guidance on gaining employment in the NHS.

Dentists

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) , how many people are waiting to sit each part of the international qualifying exams to practise dentistry in the UK; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what measures he is taking to assist those with overseas dental qualifications who are not refugees qualify to practise dentistry in the United Kingdom.

John Hutton: The General Dental Council (GDC) regulates dentistry in the United Kingdom and all practitioners must be registered with the Council.
	Dental qualifications obtained in the European Economic Area (EEA) that reach minimum training standards are mutually recognised throughout the EEA.
	The GDC recognises certain overseas dental qualifications as being eligible for registration. Dentists qualifying in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Malta—only up to 1978, New Zealand, Singapore and at most South African dental schools before 1 January 2001 are eligible for registration with the GDC. Dentists qualifying in other countries or in any other non-EEA country after 1 January 2001 are required to take the GDC international qualifying examination or Bachelor of Dental Surgery before becoming eligible for registration.
	Details of individuals waiting to sit each part of the IQE are as follows:
	Part A
	53 Candidates have been invited to sit exams in November 2002. There are currently 95 candidates on the waiting list and a capacity for 100 in March 2003.
	Part B
	45 candidates will sit exams in November and January 2003. This leaves 59 candidates on the waiting list and a capacity of 92 during the period March to July 2003.
	Part C
	77 Candidates will sit exams in November 2002, January and February 2003. This would leave 34 candidates on the waiting list and a capacity of 32 places in April-May 2003. Further examination dates are to be confirmed.

Undergraduate Training

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government's policy is on the training of medical undergraduates in prescribing practices for antibiotics; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Individual university medical schools determine their own undergraduate medical curriculum in the light of recommendations from the General Medical Council's education committee, which has the statutory responsibility to determine the extent and knowledge and skill required for the granting of primary medical qualifications in the United Kingdom.
	The education committee's most recent recommendations on undergraduate medical education are contained in Tomorrow's Doctors which was published in July 2002. It states that graduates must know about and understand the effective and safe use of medicines as a basis for prescribing. This includes side effects, harmful interactions, antibiotic resistance and genetic indicators of the appropriateness of drugs.

Microbiologists

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 259W, on microbiologists, what information his Department collates on the number of microbiologists working in the NHS.

John Hutton: holding answer 31 October 2002
	Healthcare scientists and doctors work as microbiologists within the National Health Service. The Department's workforce censuses collect detailed information to specialty level for the medical workforce but do not record the number of healthcare scientists working as microbiologists.
	As at September 2001 there were 570 doctors (400 consultants) working in the medical microbiology and virology specialty, increases of 60 and 40 respectively on the numbers employed in 1997. The information currently collected by the Department does not differentiate between microbiologists and virologists.
	The Department's vacancy survey collected information on the medical microbiology and virology specialty for the first time this year. Nationally as at 30 March 2002 there were ten consultant vacancies in this specialty.

Ministerial Visits

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he next plans to visit a hospital in Europe.

John Hutton: holding answer 15 October 2002
	There are currently no plans for any Ministerial visits to any hospitals in Europe.

Lancashire Air Ambulance Service

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what support he (a) gives and (b) intends to give the Lancashire Air Ambulance Service.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 30 October 2002
	The Lancashire Air Ambulance received #239,000 in 2002–2003 and will be provided with further support in the next financial year. Discussions for further funding is still to be finalised on the extent of the support required by air ambulance services nationally.

Care of the Elderly

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many (a) reviews are being undertaken and (b) action plans are being developed to correct shortcomings reflected in the Better Care Higher Standards Charter, as set out on page 172 of the milestones of the National Service Framework for Older People;
	(2)  what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the Better Care Higher Standards charter is working, as set out on page 172 of the milestones of the National Service Framework for Older People.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 31 October 2002
	We plan to carry out a review of the effectiveness of the charter by March 2003. This will include an analysis of local charters for 2002–03.

Care of the Elderly

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimates his Department has made of the change in the number of the elderly in England over the next 30 years; and how this will affect the requirement for residential and nursing care.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The personal social services research unit (PSSRU) long-term care model was developed by the PSSRU at the London School of Economics as part of its research programme funded by the Department. This model projects that the total number of number of people aged 65 and over will increase by 60 per cent. between 2000 and 2031.
	In the recently published Improvement, Expansion and Reform: The next 3 years, we set the target of an increase of 6,000 in the number of people in care homes supported by councils over the three years to 2006. This is in acknowledgement of the increasing population of older people.

Gosport War Memorial Hospital

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the investigation into the suspicious deaths at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 31 October 2002
	Following publication of the Commission for Health Improvement report into the care of elderly patients at the hospital, the Chief Medical Officer commissioned Professor Richard Baker to undertake a clinical audit. As the hon. Member is aware there is also an ongoing police investigation. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further until the results of both investigations are clear.

Health Authority Planning

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures he is putting in place to ensure StHAs have designed their planning processes before the next financial year, as set out in paragraph 6.7 of the document Improvement, Expansion & Reform: The Next Three Years

Hazel Blears: holding answer 31 October 2002
	The document Improvement, Expansion and Reform sets out the vision for services over the next three years, describing how national commitments translate into targets for the National Health Service and social services. The process and timetable for developing plans at a local level were also contained in this document.
	The new planning process involves streamlining current arrangements into a planning system based on a single three year local delivery plan. This process will be reinforced by the announcement of three year financial allocations to primary care trusts, giving the NHS locally the ability to plan for the medium term more effectively than in the past.

Child Obesity

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out his definition of obesity in children.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 31 October
	The simple classification of body mass index (BMI) for obesity in adults is not applicable to children. This is because the ratio of the rate of weight gain to height gain changes during normal growth, especially around puberty. Therefore, age and sex-specific reference data—centile cut-off points—are necessary to interpret the BMI measurement.
	There is on going debate as to the most appropriate cut-off point to define obesity in childhood. Two different approaches are commonly used and both demonstrate that the prevalence of obesity is increasing in children in England.

Diabetes

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people, broken down by (a) age, (b) sex and (c) ethnicity were affected with Type II diabetes in each of the last three years.

Jacqui Smith: An estimated 1.3 million people in England have diagnosed diabetes, of whom around 85 per cent. have Type 2 diabetes. A break down in the form requested is not available. However, the frequency of diabetes is higher in men than in women. Prevalence rises steeply with age. Type 2 diabetes is up to six times more common in people of South Asian descent and up to three times more common in those of African and African-Caribbean descent, compared with the white population. It is also more common in people of Chinese descent and other non-white groups.

Overseas Nurses

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 16 October 2002, Official Report, column 869W, on ethical foreign nurse recruitment, if he will estimate the number of nursing agencies in the UK that recruit nurses from overseas.

John Hutton: holding answer 31 October 2002
	The Department does not collect statistics on the number of nursing agencies in the United Kingdom recruiting from overseas. The information contained in the code of practice website is monitored and updated routinely.

NHS Staff

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made in reducing the use of bank staff within the NHS.

John Hutton: pursuant to his reply, 12 June 2002, c. 1315W
	I regret my previous answer contained a numerical error.
	The data on the overall the NHS workforce should read that it has ''increased by 4.3 per cent. to 1,166,600.'', and not, as my original answer suggested ''1,1666,000''.

Hospital Admissions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the number of (a) admissions to hospital, (b) visits to a GP and (c) other interfaces with the National Health Service that were alcohol related and their combined cost in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: pursuant to her reply 12 July 2002, c. 1267W
	I regret my previous answer was incorrect. This was a mathematical error.
	In table 1, National Health Service hospital admissions where there was a primary diagnosis of selected alcohol related disease, the total figure for 1997–98 should read, 45,800.
	In table 2, Estimated cost of alcohol misuse to the NHS, England and Wales, 1999, the total cost to NHS should read, #208 million.

Asthma-related Deaths

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many asthma-related deaths there were in each of the last five years, broken down by age group.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mrs. Annette Brooke, dated 6 November 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question concerning how many asthma-related deaths there were in each of the last five years, broken down by age group.
	The figures requested are given in the table below:
	
		Number(8) of asthma-related(9) deaths in England and Wales by age group, 1997–2001 -- number of deaths
		
			 Calendar Year 
			 Age Group 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001(10) 
		
		
			 00–04 4 3 6 2 7 
			 05–09 10 9 6 7 6 
			 10–14 7 12 11 13 13 
			 15–19 16 9 20 13 16 
			 20–24 22 10 22 23 7 
			 25–29 27 13 13 17 17 
			 30–34 20 21 21 26 15 
			 35–39 28 31 32 19 26 
			 40–44 41 37 31 46 38 
			 45–49 43 41 55 58 41 
			 50–54 67 73 61 78 58 
			 55–59 75 112 85 73 71 
			 60–64 110 82 88 84 89 
			 65–69 135 146 143 103 117 
			 70–74 200 166 157 164 127 
			 75–79 200 194 178 185 158 
			 80–84 191 179 165 146 162 
			 85+ 243 228 270 215 300 
			 All ages 1439 1366 1364 1272 1268 
		
	
	Notes:
	(8) Figures are for deaths occurring in each calendar year.
	(9) Defined as deaths where the underlying cause of death was coded as asthma (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD9), code 493 for the years 1997 to 2000 and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD10), codes J45–J46 for the year 2001).
	(10) Details of the effect of the change in classification in 2001 are described in a report published in May 2002.i
	iOffice for National Statistics. Results of the ICD-10 bridge coding study, England and Wales, 1999. Health Statistics Quarterly 14 (2002), 75–83.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics.